News

Governor Wolf announces $2.6 million to prepare students for high-growth jobs

From the Office of the Governor

Governor Tom Wolf today announced more than $2.6 million in Business-Education Partnership (BEP) grants to 22 local workforce development boards (LWDBs). The grants connect businesses and schools to provide students with job training for high growth jobs in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania employers need more well-educated and highly-skilled workers. These grants will strengthen and expand the ties between the classroom and the workplace, allowing students to learn the job skills to succeed in today’s workforce,” Governor Wolf said. “Our 21st century economy demands a technically skilled, job-ready workforce and my administration is committed to helping our young people obtain the skills they need to succeed.”

The BEP grant awards, which were 100 percent federally funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act, increase awareness of in-demand technical careers for students, parents, guardians, teachers, and school faculty.

The Business-Education Partnerships program provides career-related experiences and development opportunities through soft-skills development, internships, workplace shadowing, and career mentoring, all with the goal of engaging more students in acquiring the technical skills needed by employers.

“Labor & Industry is proud to administer this funding to encourage students interested in exploring career and technical education opportunities,” said L&I Secretary Jerry Oleksiak. “The BEP program helps connect teachers, employers and students to provide young people with work-based learning experiences that places them on a path for future career success.”

Following is a list of LWIB grant recipients and award amounts:

  • Berks County Workforce Development Board: $130,000.00
  • Bucks County Workforce Development Board: $109,830.60
  • Central County Workforce Development Board: $104,200.00
  • Chester County Workforce Development Board: $150,000.00
  • Delaware County Workforce Development Board: $91,611.00
  • Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board: $151,497.00
  • Lancaster County Workforce Development Board: $90,000.00
  • Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Board: $136,144.00
  • Luzerne-Schuylkill Workforce Development Board:$100,000.00
  • Montgomery County Workforce Development Board: $87,975.00
  • North Central Workforce Development Board: $164,555.90
  • Northern Tier Workforce Development Board: $131,595.00
  • Northwest Workforce Development Board: $157,160.00
  • Philadelphia Workforce Development Board: $120,000.00
  • Pocono Counties Workforce Development Board: $90,900.00
  • South Central Workforce Development Board: $135,000.00
  • Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board: $108,813.00
  • Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board: $100,000.00
  • Three Rivers Workforce Development Board: $115,641.00
  • Tri-County Workforce Development Board: $100,000.00
  • West Central Workforce Development Board: $100,000.00
  • Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Development Board: $127,050.00

Total: $2,601,372.50

For information about project descriptions, visit www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses.