Apprenticeship & Training Office (ATO)

The Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) within the PA Department of Labor & Industry is responsible for guiding and promoting the expansion and compliance of all Registered Apprenticeship (RA) and Pre-Apprenticeship (Pre-RA) programs across the state.

As the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), the ATO is responsible for overseeing the development and registration of all Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-apprenticeship related programs, agreements, policies, and ensures compliance of all registered programs with regulations and standards. The ATO is working to embed a focus on apprenticeships within the state's workforce system and PA CareerLink® offices; and continues to place an emphasis on equal opportunity standards and equitable selection procedures as well as increasing quality assurance and compliance efforts. It supports sponsors with the resources they need to implement high-quality apprenticeship programs, including the PAsmart grant program.

ATO Goals

  • Increase the number of Registered Apprenticeship (RA) opportunities in Pennsylvania.
  • Expand apprenticeship into non-traditional occupations and serve underrepresented populations.
  • Raise awareness about the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship and how to access them.
  • Advocate for apprenticeship as a premier solution to meeting workforce needs.
  • Provide programs the support and resources needed to align with PA standards and practices.
  • Ensure compliance with all regulations, standards, and guidance.

ATO Services

  • Technical Assistance: Assisting any prospective programs build, present for approval, register, and launch their program. Additionally, providing assistance to all currently registered programs to ensure they are able to properly maintain their program, enter data and actions into the RAPIDS (which require compliance checks and balances) and other tracking systems, and build capacity as needed;
  • Strategic Planning and Ecosystem Building: Helping local areas create strategic plans and establish a regional approach to growing apprenticeship, and helping plan and facilitate meetings among partners, employers, training providers as needed;
  • Knowledge Dissemination, Education, and Advocacy: This includes the creation and distribution of knowledge products specific to the PA processes, policy and standards, sharing of best practices, and continuous advocacy in the form of formal support, representation, and presentations;
  • Funding Opportunities: Securing, managing, and distributing potential funding opportunities and providing access and information related to federal and state funding opportunities available to support apprenticeship.;
  • Ensuring Compliance with all PA Regulations, Standards, and Legislation: This includes staff performing ongoing checks and balances and quality assurance measures for everyday program operations as well as conducting formal audits/reviews one year following registration and every 5 years after that for all registered programs.

Meet the Team

The ATO’s staff of Apprenticeship & Training Representatives (ATRs) helps sponsors develop and register new apprenticeship programs. They provide technical assistance at every step on your journey to adopting this innovative approach to workforce development. View the ATO Region Map (PDF) to see which representative serves you.

The ATO Team

Staff Name 

Title

Phone

Email

 

Administrative Division

  

Tara Loew

Director

223-231-9944

tloew@pa.gov

Aaron McKinley 

Administrative Officer

717-996-8583

aamckinley@pa.gov

Allie Harris

Clerical Assistant

717-787-0761

allieharri@pa.gov

Gina Meringer

Clerical Assistant

223-231-9961

gmeringer@pa.gov

 

Field Division

  

Cristie DeWitt

Field Apprenticeship and Training Representative Supervisor

717-649-6864

CriDeWitt@pa.gov

Joseph Bass

Central Region Apprenticeship and Training Representative

717-317-7174

jobass@pa.gov

Chelsie Pineiro Cordero

Southeastern Region Apprenticeship and Training Representative

223-231-9540

cpineiroco@pa.gov

Marshall Palmer 

Western Region Apprenticeship and Training Representative

724-810-6351 

MarPalmer@pa.gov

Theodore Warholic (TJ)

Northern Region Apprenticeship and Training Representative

 570-688-7997

thwarholic@pa.gov

Jared Young

Statewide Special Project Apprenticeship and Training Representative

717-781-6823

jaryoung@pa.gov

Leanne Demboski

Statewide Special Project Apprenticeship and Training Representative

717-350-2522

ldemboski@pa.gov

Jeanette Coleman

Job Seeker Liaison

717-775-9390

jeacoleman@pa.gov

 

Pre-Apprenticeship Division

  

Danielle Demirovic

Pre-Apprenticeship Supervisor

717-460-4474

DDemirovic@pa.gov

Chelsea Lewellen

Pre-Apprenticeship and Training Representative

724-812-8569

clewellen@pa.gov

Brian Jones

Pre-Apprenticeship and Training Representative

445-267-8006 

jonebr@pa.gov

 

Grants, Compliance and Statistical Development Division

  

Jennifer Grooms

Grants, Statistical Development, and Special Projects Specialist

223-231-9595

jgrooms@pa.gov

David Croyle

Western Compliance Apprentice and Training Representative

814-428-5049

davcroyle@pa.gov

Joesph Poland

Eastern Compliance Apprentice and Training Representative

717-893-0146

jpoland@pa.gov

Adam Campbell

Data Specialist Apprenticeship and Training Representative

223-231-9513

azcampbell@pa.gov

Kathleen Watson

Data Specialist Apprenticeship and Training Representative

724-998-4670

katwatson@pa.gov

Not sure who to contact? Email us (apprenticeship@pa.gov) or call (717) 787-6997. We'll answer questions or connect you with the appropriate representative, visit https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov/jponline/Apprenticeships for more information.

PA Apprenticeship and Training Council (PATC)

In accordance with the Apprenticeship and Training Act of 1961, a State Apprenticeship and Training Council exists in PA as a departmental agency in the Department of Labor and Industry to act as the approving agency of registration for proposed Apprenticeship programs. The Council is committed to promoting excellence in apprenticeship through the establishment and furtherance of standards of apprenticeship and training to safeguard the welfare of apprentices and trainees.  It aims to contribute to a healthy economy by aiding in the development and maintenance of a skilled labor force sufficient in numbers and quality to meet the expanding needs of the Pennsylvania industry and to attract new industries. The specific powers and duties of the Council can be found in Section 4 of the Act.
  
The Council is composed of eleven voting members who are appointed by the Governor, 4 representatives of employees, 4 representatives of employers, 3 representatives of the general public, as well as five ex-officio members who provide key insight and guidance. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise around apprenticeship help them vet programs and provide suggestions for improvements. The Council’s approval of a program certifies that it meets the requirements established by the State, thereby making it eligible for government support.

PATC Meeting Agendas & Notes

You can view prior PATC meeting minutes, view upcoming meeting agendas and review reports on the newly approved apprenticeship programs during those meetings by visiting the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Council webpage​ on PA CareerLink®.​

Archived Documents

Council Members

​Employee Members

​Employer Members

​Public Members

​Timothy Griffin
Council Co-Chairperson

​Lisa Godlewski
Council Chairperson

Lisa Williams

​Robert Bair

Barry Kindt

Gregory A. Chambers

William McGee

Jon O'Brien​

Cheryl Feldman​

 

Michael McGraw

Resources

Important Terms and Abbreviations

ATO - Apprenticeship and Training Office, guides and promotes the expansion of apprenticeship programs across Pennsylvania.

ATR - Apprenticeship Training Representative, staff that assists partners develop and register apprenticeship programs

SAA - State Apprenticeship Agency, oversees the development and approval of apprenticeship programs

PATC - Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Council, approves or denies proposed apprenticeship programs

PA CareerLink® - An initiative to connect Pennsylvanian job-seekers with employers

PAsmart - An initiative to connect Pennsylvanians with resources to work, learn, or train in the state