PLAINS TWP, PA — In a strategic effort to bolster the manufacturing workforce in Pennsylvania, the Shapiro Administration has announced an investment of $200,000 through the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) grant program. This funding is allocated to Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania to enhance its career-focused educational programs aimed at middle and high school students across the region.
The initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to developing a robust pipeline of skilled workers equipped to thrive in the advanced manufacturing sector. These funds will expand programs such as YES!, Inspire, and Company Insight, which are designed to increase awareness among students about the vital skills, education, and training required for lucrative careers in manufacturing.
Gwen Ross, Director of Workforce Development Initiatives at the Department of Community and Economic Development, emphasized the dual benefit of the grant for both Pennsylvania’s youth and the manufacturing industry. “Engaging students with advanced technology experiences will help meet the needs of the industry while placing young Pennsylvanians on the path to rewarding careers in manufacturing,” Ross stated during her visit to Solomon Plains Middle School, where students are actively participating in the YES! program.
The grant will facilitate a partnership between Junior Achievement and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC), aiming to spotlight the region’s manufacturing potential. This collaboration will enhance students’ exposure to local manufacturing careers by creating pathways for job shadows, internships, and eventual employment with regional manufacturing employers.
Susan Magnotta, President of Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting the importance of exposing students to manufacturing opportunities. “We look forward to working with NEPIRC to enhance our current programs to reflect the skills, training, and education needed, and the career pathways and jobs available in manufacturing locally – with or without a college degree,” Magnotta said.
The MTTC grant program is pivotal in bridging the skills gap, engaging youth and those facing career barriers, and enhancing the capacity of local manufacturers. By aligning educational programs with industry needs, the initiative is set to equip the future workforce with the competencies required for success in Pennsylvania’s thriving manufacturing sector.
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