More funding available for apprenticeship programs

Gov. Tom Wolf has developed a new pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship program that will enable more Pennsylvania employers to develop the specialized training their workers need to close skills gaps in the workplace.

Through the Department of Community and Economic Development, the program also rewards career pathways for students and adults.

The DCED has identified $2.3 million for the start of the program, and the grants will be issued on an ongoing basis as long as funds are available.

DCED is accepting grant proposals from apprenticeship sponsors, such as single employers, employer consortia, workforce development boards, economic development organizations, labor organization, career tech schools, Pennsylvania community colleges, and community organizations.

Grants can be used to complement hourly salaries of in-house instructors for training that supports on-the-job training, costs of books and training materials, contracted professional services directly related to academic competency, and other expenses deemed eligible by DCED.

For more information, go to www.dced.pa.gov.