PHILADELPHIA – One week after Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled his 2023-24 budget proposal, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis today visited The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia to tout the investments the Shapiro-Davis budget would make toward workforce development.
“The governor and I are sending a clear message that Pennsylvania is open for business and that we are going to make our state a leader in innovation, job creation and economic development,” said Davis. “Pennsylvania’s high-tech sectors – like the life science sector in Philadelphia – make huge contributions to our state’s economic growth. However, worker shortages are one of the biggest challenges we must address in the coming years. That’s why the Shapiro-Davis budget would invest nearly $24 million in new state funding to build partnerships between career and technical education and industries, trades and entities that need highly skilled workers. The Wistar Institute’s pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs are great examples of how government can collaborate with industry and academic institutions to help create a diverse pipeline of talent to fulfill our Commonwealth’s workforce needs.”
Through his $23.8 million proposed investment in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, the governor’s budget is addressing the workforce shortage head-on and creating real opportunities for workers across the Commonwealth.
Expanding apprenticeships boosts the Commonwealth’s economy by building robust pipelines between schools and the workforce, providing students with family-sustaining wages, while providing Pennsylvania businesses with the talent they need to succeed. The Shapiro-Davis Administration has a comprehensive plan to invest in apprenticeship programs, expand vo-tech and bring career and technical education back into our classrooms.
“Our Wistar educational mission is to create opportunities for all – students and adult learners from all backgrounds – to train for and land a life sciences career in this growing sector,” said Wistar Institute President and CEO Dr. Dario Altieri. “We’ve seen firsthand the impact our training programs have to open up a new career path in the sciences, bolster workforce development opportunities in a growing sector of our economy and create the next gen life sciences workers and leaders right here in our own backyard.”
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis tours The Wistar Institute.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis tours The Wistar Institute.
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