State Labor & Industry Department awards $3M in workforce development grants

The state Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) recently awarded more than $3 million in Business-Education Partnership (BEP) Grant funding to 22 workforce development organizations statewide.

The organizations connect businesses with school districts and students to prepare youth to enter the workforce. Students receive opportunities such as workplace shadowing, career mentoring, internships, and soft-skills development.

“The pandemic changed every aspect of our lives, including how we educate our students and prepare them to join Pennsylvania’s workforce,” L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier said. “These BEP grants play a vital role in helping students gain the skills to eventually meet the needs of employers across the commonwealth.”

Grants were awarded between $27,225 and $150,000.

Awardees include:

The Philadelphia County Workforce Development Board received $150,000 to allow teachers to participate in professional development sessions. They will learn how to integrate career exposure into their classroom. The educators also will implement a career-connected service-learning project with their high school students to spread awareness among middle school students and their families.

Three Rivers in Allegheny County received $150,000 to connect students to businesses and high-priority occupations in the Allegheny County and Pittsburgh region.

The Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Board received $150,000 to integrate workforce coordinators into schools.