The American Water Charitable Foundation, American Water’s nonprofit organization that contributes to communities where the company and its employees live, work and operate, recently awarded three nonprofit educational institutions $75,000 in Workforce Readiness Grants.
“The importance of developing a skilled work force cannot be understated,” Justin Ladner, Pennsylvania American Water president and American Water Charitable Foundation board trustee, said. “At Pennsylvania American Water, about 22 percent of our work force is already eligible to retire, and that number increases to around 36 percent when we look five years out. We know other companies in the communities we serve may have similar challenges to face in the coming years.”
The grant, which provided each awardee with $25,000, funds life skills training, general career readiness, positive youth development, and business and financial literacy.
Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School will use funding to purchase equipment for educating and training students in high-priority occupations.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster County will use funding to provide scholarships for financially disadvantaged students and to increase outreach and curriculum for its Water and Environment Technology Program.
Western Area Career and Technology Center in Washington County will use funding to purchase personal protective equipment for underserved students.