Pennsylvania’s Training-to-Career Grant program awards $335,000 to two manufacturing organizations

The state’s Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant program recently awarded $335,000 to two organizations to develop initiatives raising awareness of the opportunities available in the manufacturing industry.

The program engages youth and others with barriers to career opportunities in manufacturing, advances capacity for local or regional manufacturers, and helps local manufacturers identify and teach missing essential skills for entry level applicants seeking manufacturing employment.

It supports projects that advance manufacturing or result in short-term work readiness or job placement.

Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania was awarded $199,500. Funding will be used to implement a program that will introduce students in grades 7 to 12 to skilled trades career opportunities and will connect students with industry professionals.

The program will provide pathways to pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and other training opportunities.

The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland-Fayette was awarded $135,398 to establish a summer camp that will provide hands-on opportunities with industry-specific tools and field trips to explore the versatility of the manufacturing industry. The camp will be open to 80 participants between 16 and 21 years old with barriers to employment.

Participants also will have the opportunity to work directly with PA CareerLink.

The Manufacturing PA initiative has invested more than $14.1 million through the Training-to-Career Grant program.