HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell said Pennsylvania high school students will be better prepared for the 21st century’s challenging careers with the assistance of six grants that will provide $600,000 among 23 counties to improve career-related education. The grants will be boosted by an additional $256,000 in local funds.
“Better opportunities for Pennsylvania’s students mean a better future for Pennsylvania,” Rendell said. “We are making sure that our young people receive the career-focused education they need to succeed in the competitive 21st century economy. By making this investment, we are ensuring that Pennsylvania businesses will have the well-trained, highly skilled workforce they need to be competitive and successful.”
The grants were awarded through Pennsylvania’s Regional Career Education Partnership Program for Youth, a cooperative workforce development initiative by the state departments of Labor & Industry and Education.
Locally Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Cameron, McKean and Potter counties will share a $100,000 grant with $60,000 in local funds that will go to the Central Workforce Investment Board. Areas to be affected include advanced materials and diversified manufacturing; health care; lumber, wood and paper; and transportation and logistics.
The Regional Career Education Partnership Program for Youth promotes career preparation for students throughout the state’s Workforce Investment Areas. The initiative partners with Project 720 high schools — one of Rendell’s “Job Ready PA” workforce development initiatives — to strengthen career-related curriculums and encourage employers to support Pennsylvania’s vision for high school reform.
The six grants announced bring the total state and local funding provided this year in RCEP grants to more than $3.1 million. In April of this year, grants provided $1.2 million in state funds and $1.1 million in local funding.