HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced the investment of $2.7 million in grants that will ensure job-training facilities have the state-of-the-art equipment necessary to provide students with the relevant, advanced skills needed to succeed.
This investment includes two Clearfield County-based schools: Clearfield County Career & Technology Center, at $40,080 for equipment in life sciences industry training programs and Penn State DuBois at $87,000 for equipment in advanced materials & diversified manufacturing training programs.
“Equipment in the workplace becomes more and more sophisticated all the time,” Rendell said. “Students must have the opportunity to learn on up-to-date equipment in the classroom so their skills are relevant to the workplace.”
The grants, awarded to more than 30 schools and training providers in 23 counties, help supply secondary, career and technical education and postsecondary classrooms with state-of-the-art equipment for advanced job training. Grants come from the Job Training Equipment Fund created by the General Assembly last year and other dedicated workforce development funds. Legislation requires that priority for funding go to schools in rural areas, after which applicants from other regions become eligible.
“Well-trained, highly skilled workers are one of the keys to a successful and competitive business,” Rendell said. “By investing in this equipment, we’re investing in a successful future for Pennsylvania employers and our workforce.”
The Job Training Fund Equipment Grant Program provides funding to nonprofit schools and training providers to purchase equipment so students can develop proficiency with technology used by employers in Pennsylvania’s nine targeted industry clusters.
The clusters comprise industries critical to the commonwealth’s economic strength, including: advanced materials & diversified manufacturing; agriculture & food production; building & construction; business & financial services; education; information & communication services; life sciences; logistics & transportation; and lumber, wood & paper.