Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced availability of $2.75 million in grant funding to build and modernize Pennsylvania’s growing network of registered apprenticeship programs. L&I is one of 30 recipients nationwide awarded grant funding through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America initiative and plans to support 15 local workforce development boards (LWDBs) in their respective efforts to expand apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities among underrepresented populations in their respective regions.
“The economy is ever-changing, requiring more and more specialized skills among workers,” Berrier said. “As leaders in the field of workforce development, the 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.”
To assist local workforce areas across the commonwealth, the ATO is helping create strategic plans to expand registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs and offering training webinars that highlight how job seekers can connect to the model and how LWDBs can leverage Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds to support apprentices.
“LWDBs not only support apprentices, but also provide the leadership necessary to bring key regional partners together to support Pennsylvania’s registered apprenticeship model,” said Tara Loew, director of the ATO. “Their sustained commitment to promoting apprenticeship as a service to both employers and job seekers will help accelerate the growth of local apprenticeship ecosystems that are supported by the ATO.”
Applications must be complete and submitted by Friday, November 4, 2022. The Apprenticeship Building America and Pennsylvania NGA and related materials are available on L&I’s grants website: www.dli.pa.gov/Grants.
