L&I makes $2.75M available in apprenticeship grants

The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) recently made $2.75 million in grant funding available to build and modernize Pennsylvania’s network of registered apprenticeship programs.

Funding is through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America initiative. It will support 15 local workforce development boards (LWDBs) as they expand pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities in underrepresented populations.

“The economy is ever-changing, requiring more and more specialized skills among workers,” L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier said. “As leaders in the field of workforce development, the (Gov. Tom) Wolf Administration is constantly innovating how we create access to this training and remains committed to ensuring all Pennsylvanians – especially those in historically marginalized communities — have equitable access to opportunities that advance their skillset and offer family-sustaining career pathways.”

The application deadline is Nov. 4.

In July, the Wolf Administration received a $3.9 million federal grant to be distributed through the L&I’s Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO). The ATO creates strategic plans to expand registered pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs and to offer training webinars.

ATO will use the grant funding to expand diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to apprenticeship programs in underrepresented communities; enhance apprenticeship-related expertise among the local workforce development board and PA CareerLink staff; and create a focus on apprenticeships within the workforce system.