The Pennsylvania Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Program (MTTC) recently awarded Chester County Economic Development Foundation (CCEDF) $200,000 to create the “Bridging Agriculture and Manufacturing in Berks and Chester Counties” program.
The program will help students at Kutztown, Octorara, Oley Valley, and Owen J. Roberts High Schools explore the link between agricultural and manufacturing careers in Berks and Chester counties. It will leverage CCEDF’s AgConnect and Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties Industry Partnerships to develop, deliver, and evaluate career awareness and exploration in manufacturing for students.
Students will gain real-world experience by participating in career showcases, workplace readiness programs, and visiting manufacturers.
“CCEDF and AgConnect have been serving the agriculture community for more than a decade by providing workforce training, financing, and business services, and engaging our future workforce through career exploration programs,” CCEDF CEO Gary Smith said. However, as technology continues to increase, we realize that many of the available jobs in agriculture are in manufacturing. We are excited to showcase the breadth and depth of career options, increasing student opportunity and helping ensure farming and manufacturing can thrive in our region for years to come.”
MTTC grants fund projects that advance manufacturing or result in job placement or short-term work readiness.