The Department of Labor & Industry announced its plan to distribute more than $3 million in Business-Education Partnership Grant funding to 22 workforce development organizations statewide that work to connect Pennsylvania businesses with school districts and students to better prepare youth to enter into an ever-changing workforce.
The Bucks County Workforce Development board is set to receive $150,000 to provide opportunities for high school students to explore employment in the biotechnology industry. The funding will also provide hands-on workplace readiness training for students at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. Some funds will help extend availability of the Mobile Fabrication Lab to schools in Bucks County.
“The pandemic changed every aspect of our lives, including how we educate our students and prepare them to join Pennsylvania’s workforce,” said Secretary Jennifer Berrier. “These BEP grants play a vital role in helping students gain the skills to eventually meet the needs of employers across the commonwealth. We are so proud to be awarding nearly $3.1 million to local workforce development boards across Pennsylvania. They will use this money to continue operating their programs that increase awareness of in-demand technical careers for students, parents, guardians and school faculty.”
The partnerships offer career-related experiences and opportunities for students through soft-skills development, internships, workplace shadowing and career mentoring, all with the goal of informing more young learners about high-priority occupations and career paths available in the commonwealth.
“One of Gov. Wolf’s key workforce development objectives is providing students with the proper training to secure good-paying jobs once they leave the classroom,” said Berrier. “In the previous round of BEP grants, the commonwealth helped to fund activities that served more than 35,000 people across Pennsylvania. We are simply letting students know what opportunities exist and offering solid first-work experience that puts them on the path of a successful career.”
