HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania officials have awarded more than $4.1 million in grants to expand career training programs that connect high school students with hands-on work experience and pathways to employment after graduation.
What This Means for You
- Seventeen Schools-to-Work projects across Pennsylvania will receive funding.
- Programs connect students with careers in fields such as healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and information technology.
- Grants support pre-apprenticeships, industry credentials, and work-based learning opportunities.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry announced the grants this past week through its Schools-to-Work program, which supports partnerships among school districts, employers, workforce boards, and training providers.
Officials say the program is designed to help students gain practical experience and connect classroom learning with workforce needs across the state.
“Schools-to-Work is about making sure students don’t just graduate with a diploma, but with direction,” said Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker.
New Teacher Training Program
Walker announced the funding during an event Monday at Susquehanna Township School District’s Sara Lindemuth / Anna Carter Primary School in Dauphin County.
The district received $236,226 to launch Preparing Aspiring Teachers for Higher Education, known as PATH-Ed, a registered pre-apprenticeship program designed to prepare students for careers in education.
The program will build on the district’s existing Cadet Teaching Program and aims to address teacher shortages by introducing students to classroom experience while they are still in high school.
“Our students are not only the leaders of tomorrow,” said Superintendent Dr. Tamara Willis. “They are the teachers of tomorrow.”
Students participating in the program gain experience assisting teachers, working with small groups, and observing classroom management practices.
Cadet Teaching Program participant Cole Hunsberger said the experience has helped prepare him for a career in education.
“Through the program, I have had the chance to teach a full class, work with small groups, and provide one-on-one support,” Hunsberger said.
Workforce Development Efforts
State officials say the Schools-to-Work program is part of broader workforce development initiatives aimed at connecting students with careers in high-demand industries.
These industries include skilled trades, healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and education.
According to the state, workforce development funding for career and technical education and apprenticeship programs has increased from $118 million to $183 million over the past three years.
During that time, Pennsylvania has registered 231 new apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs and enrolled nearly 18,000 new apprentices.
Projects Across the State
The latest Schools-to-Work grants will support 17 projects statewide, including programs focused on construction trades, healthcare training, software development, manufacturing certifications, and welding.
Among the recipients are school districts, workforce organizations, and training providers in counties including Dauphin, Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Venango, Warren, Philadelphia, Lehigh, Fayette, Westmoreland, Schuylkill, Centre, Clinton, Mifflin, Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, York, Chester, Allegheny, and Montgomery.
Officials said the projects aim to help students graduate with skills, certifications, or pre-apprenticeship experience that can lead directly to employment or further education.
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