HARRISBURG – Two state grants of $268,885 awarded by the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) today will improve the ability of local schools and businesses to work together to better prepare students for different career paths, according to Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), Chair of the Senate Education Committee.
“I’m pleased that our local workforce development boards are receiving the funding they need to reach more students and connect them with good-paying jobs in competitive fields,” Langerholc said. “This will benefit employers and our local economy as well.”
Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board will use its grant of $77,387 for a program entitled STEM Ecosystem EnVISION: An Explosion of Collaboration is on the Horizon in the Southern Alleghenies. The objectives of this project are to motivate students in grades 6 through 12 in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset Counties to pursue STEM and technology careers. The program will provide educators the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight from employers and build partnerships that cultivate an ecosystem that promotes training and encourages resource-sharing.
The North Central Workforce Development Board will use its grant of $191,498 for a program entitled Solutions – Business and Education Connect. Objectives of this continuation project are to ensure that elementary, middle and high school students, parents, and guardians as well as school districts in the six-county region of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter Counties are aware of the career opportunities in the region, to ensure an understanding of the education and skill needs of these jobs.
The funding was provided through the Business-Education Partnership (BEP) grants, which is administered by L&I and funded by the federal government. The grants were two of 19 grants totaling $2.4 million that were awarded statewide in the current round of funding.
CONTACT: Gwenn Dando gdando@pasen.gov 717-787-5400