The Pennsylvania College of Technology, an affiliate of Penn State University, received a $2 million federal grant to enhance its academic and workforce development programs.
Specifically, the grant is for infrastructure-related development, as it seeks to attract and enhance the skills of the workforce to meet the increasing demand for clean energy, architecture, construction, and concrete science professionals. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration.
“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to provide targeted, place-based grants designed to support local workforce development programs,” Alejandra Castillo, assistant secretary of commerce for economic development, said. “This award will accelerate the potential of the region’s workers to secure quality jobs in emerging, high-demand sectors.”
Penn College is matching the $2 million grant so it will have a $4 million budget for this initiative. The money will be allocated over 60 months.
Among the workforce development initiatives, the school plans to build an 1,800-square-foot Clean Energy Center house to train home-energy professionals with in-demand skills and certifications. It also plans to update the Carl Building Technologies Center and its instructional labs to improve learning experiences for students enrolled in programs related to building construction, service, and maintenance.
“This project will literally transform our building construction instructional areas, expand opportunities for integration with industry and enhance the student’s experience. The new industry showroom and materials library at the entrance to the project will augment existing experiential learning opportunities and stimulate cross-departmental collaboration,” Ellyn Lester, assistant dean of construction and architectural technologies, said.
The grant will support applied technology careers through programmatic investments. It will also develop a commercial construction degree program to meet the growing need for commercial construction workers. In addition, the college’s nationally recognized Clean Energy Center — a provider of accredited training and technical assistance to clean energy professionals — will target unskilled and displaced workers for introductory Building Green Futures programs.
“We are thrilled by EDA’s investment in Penn College’s commitment to the workforce of today and tomorrow,” Shannon Munro, vice president for workforce development, said. “The grant will have a profound impact on students and expand educational access for the regional workforce, helping secure enduring prosperity for the communities’ surrounding campus.”
The college estimates the grant will result in the creation or retention of more than 435 jobs throughout the region.
“We need to provide training for the specialized jobs of the future and make sure we’re keeping those jobs right here in Pennsylvania, and this funding will help get us there with training for skilled labor positions,” U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) said.
The college also plans to address the awareness gap plaguing the skilled trades as many high school students are unaware of the career opportunities in the sector.
“The Pennsylvania College of Technology plays a vital role in our region and instills in students the skills, training and experience necessary to successfully enter the workforce,” U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) said.