Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today announced $2.7 million in grant investments to support the expansion and creation of 11 Schools-to-Work programs across Pennsylvania. L&I’s Schools-to-Work program bridges classroom learning with real-world opportunity, aligning training with in-demand industries and workforce needs across the Commonwealth. The program strengthens partnerships among school districts, career and technical centers, employers, workforce boards, and training providers to help high school students graduate with a clear pathway into their chosen field, registered apprenticeship, or post-secondary education. This latest investment underscores Governor Josh Shapiro’s ongoing commitment to supporting Pennsylvania’s young people and the workforce of tomorrow.
“Every young person across our Commonwealth deserves the chance to discover their potential and chart a path to success,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “The Shapiro Administration is proud to invest in Schools-to-Work and pre-apprenticeship programs that expand access to meaningful career opportunities, strengthen our workforce pipeline, and ensure employers can find the skilled talent they need right here at home.”
Over the past three years, Governor Shapiro has made investing in workforce development a key priority. The Commonwealth increased funding for apprenticeship programs and career and technical education by nearly 50 percent, from $118 million to $183 million, and registered 249 new pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.
The Governor’s 2026-27 budget plan looks to build on three years of historic progress by proposing to:
- Invest an additional $18 million in CTE and apprenticeship programs;
- Double Schools-to-Work funding to $7 million;
- Increase Industry Partnership grants by $3.5 million to $6.3 million; and
- Increase state funding for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation by $1 million.
The investments announced today will continue to strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce talent pipeline and ensure students graduate with the skills, credentials, and experience they need to succeed; the $2.7 million investment is 100% state funded.
Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center (Luzerne, Schuylkill, and Lackawanna Counties - $249,952)
Establishes a welding pre-apprenticeship for grades nine through 12, combining hands-on training, industry-aligned curriculum, and employer partnerships to build a skilled trades pipeline.
Central Dauphin School District (Dauphin County - $250,000)
Launches education and healthcare pathways with dual enrollment, work-based learning, and mentorship, preparing students for teaching and healthcare careers.
Liguori Academy (Philadelphia County - $250,000)
Offers a building trades pathway where students gain carpentry and electrical skills, earn pre-apprenticeship credentials, and transition to further training or employment.
York Builders Association Workforce NOW Foundation (York and Cumberland Counties - $250,000)
Expands a building trades pre-apprenticeship with career exploration and trade-specific job shadowing, connecting students directly to contractors and employment pathways.
Shippensburg University (Franklin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties - $249,958)
Builds an early childhood education pathway that integrates structured work-based learning with licensed childcare and early learning programs.
The Philadelphia Academies, Inc. (Philadelphia County - $249,977)
Expands its construction trades pre-apprenticeship program, offering pathways in plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and welding.
Steamfitters Local Union No. 449 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Greene, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, Warren, and Washington Counties - $250,000)
Launches an HVAC pre-apprenticeship connecting students to in-demand skilled trades careers through hands-on training and industry partnerships.
Northampton Area School District (Northampton County - $249,383)
Introduces a chemistry lab pre-apprenticeship preparing students for careers in laboratory science, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.
Butler Memorial Hospital (Butler County - $250,000)
Creates a healthcare pre-apprenticeship for high school students with clinical training, credentials, and mentorship to address local workforce shortages.
Homewood Children’s Village (Allegheny County - $250,000)
Develops the Early Childhood Workforce Participation (ECWP) program, designed to prepare high school students for entry into Pennsylvania’s high-demand early childhood education workforce.
Lehigh Carbon Community College (Carbon and Lehigh Counties - $250,000)
Pilots electrician and fiber optics training programs, preparing students for pre-apprenticeships and careers in the growing data center and electrical workforce.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
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