Harrisburg, PA – Emphasizing the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to increasing workforce development and manufacturing training programs across Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Acting Secretary Rick Siger today announced $100,000 in new funding to support manufacturing programs at Junior Achievement of South Central PA.

The Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) grant will support programs for students in grades 5-12, including:

• Junior Achievement BizTown (Grades 5-6) which provides students with the opportunity to assume the roles of workers and consumers in a simulated economy following a series of classroom activities about business, civics, jobs, and personal finance.
• YES! (Your Economic Success!) (Grades 6-8) is a unique program for each middle school grade level which consists of activities intended to help students gain an appreciation for the importance that financial and career decisions will play in their lives as adults.
• STEM Summit (Grades 9-10) provides students with the opportunity to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts, skills, and careers through experiments, competitions, and volunteer interactions.
• Junior Achievement Inspire (Grades 7-12) is a digital program that helps students identify career clusters and jobs of interest to them, identify regional employers in their cluster of interest, and begin to connect with post-secondary opportunities including apprenticeship programs, trades schools, colleges, and job opportunities.

“Governor Shapiro and his Administration strongly believe Pennsylvanians should have the freedom to chart their own course to success in the Commonwealth,” said Acting Secretary Siger. “By supporting skills-building programs like this one at Junior Achievement of South Central PA, we are giving students exciting opportunities to learn more about the diverse and rewarding careers available to them in Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry.”

Training-to-Career grants support projects that result in short-term work-readiness, job placement, or the advancement of manufacturing. The Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant program works collaboratively with local manufacturers to identify and teach missing essential skills for entry level applicants seeking manufacturing employment, engage youth or those with barriers to career opportunities in manufacturing, and or advance capacity for local or regional manufacturers.

“Students throughout Pennsylvania are the future of the Commonwealth,” said Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Acting Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Education. “Providing students with opportunities to explore careers in manufacturing industries is crucial to Pennsylvania’s economy and one of the best investments we can make as educators. The Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant program will help ensure students have the tools they need to succeed now and in this ever-changing future.”

The manufacturing industry has historically been the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy and currently employs more than 560,000 individuals across the Commonwealth. Governor Shapiro’s budget, which shares his vision to build an economy that works for everyone, enhances Pennsylvania’s longstanding position in the manufacturing industry by funding cutting edge research to spur job creation.

“Thanks to the support of the Shapiro Administration we are helping students better understand the amazing opportunities available in manufacturing,” said Tom Russell, CEO, Junior Achievement of South Central PA. “Great jobs, with great pay, with many not requiring a four-year degree. A real win-win!”

For more information about the MTTC Program or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit DCED website, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Governor Shapiro and his Administration are committed to investing in the manufacturing industry to grow Pennsylvania’s economy. For more information about his commitment to workers, businesses, and our economy, visit the Governor’s website.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Penny Ickes, dcedpress@pa.gov
Casey Smith, casesmith@pa.gov

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