ACE receives $200,000 state grant to bolster skilled work force

The Manufacturing PA initiative recently awarded the Agency for Community Empowerment of NEPA (ACE) a $200,000 Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Program (MTTC) grant.

ACE administers funds from federal, state, and local governments and private funding to assess, design, operate, finance, and oversee anti-poverty programs in Lackawanna County. A private corporation, ACE depends heavily on volunteer work.

“Thanks to this funding, ACE will be able to help companies in our region to identify and train a skilled workforce,” Jim Wansacz, ACE executive director, said. “We are thankful to the Wolf Administration for this assistance and know this project will make an impact in our region.”

The organization will use the funding to provide recruitment, intake, and program delivery services designed to help under-skilled populations gain the necessary skills to attain and sustain employment in the advanced manufacturing sector.

Participants will learn manufacturing skills, soft skills, and work readiness.

Launched in October 2017, the Manufacturing PA initiative, through the MTTC program, has funded 79 projects and invested more than $16.9 million.

MTTC grants support projects that result in job placement, short-term work readiness, or the advancement of manufacturing.

The MTTC program works with local manufacturers to identify and teach missing essential skills for entry-level applicants seeking employment in manufacturing.