Central Pa. companies gain state grants to strengthen workforce

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Three Central Pennsylvania companies are part of the 10 new grants announced Wednesday by the Shapiro Administration to strengthen and expand the state’s workforce. 

Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger announced a $1,669,817 investment through the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) to help Pennsylvanians chart their path to career success while helping to boost the manufacturing industry. 

“The Shapiro Administration understands the importance of investing in the manufacturing industry and our workforce,” Siger said in a statement. “MTTC grants provide pathways for students to learn new skills and introduce them to rewarding careers. Manufacturing is a pillar of the Commonwealth’s economy, and this program ensures there are skilled workers to fill its needs.” 

Two of the new grants are going to York County businesses Tooling Dynamics and New Concept Technology, and a third to JATC of Shamokin Electricians IBEW 607 in Northumberland County. 

This latest round of investments through the MTTC program will provide grants to support industries across Pennsylvania. According to a release, the MTTC awards will help schools, training providers, and organizations expose students to careers in the skilled trades and manufacturing, provide hands-on training opportunities, and equip the next generation with the skills needed to secure good-paying, in-demand jobs. 

Since taking office in 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro has invested more than $17 million through the MTTC program to help train over 3,500 Pennsylvanians for careers in manufacturing and the skilled trades. 

Tooling Dynamics, which operates a state registered manufacturing apprenticeship program in South Central Pennsylvania, is receiving $49,000 for its Machinist Apprenticeship Program. The company developed an apprenticeship program to organically grow certified Tool & Die Makers. 

The program has continued to expand and offer registered apprenticeship training curriculum in several programs of study, including Machinists, Tool and Die Maker, and Maintenance Mechanics. Due to the difficulty in recruiting Tool and Die Makers, the apprenticeship program serves to retain and upskill the incumbent workforce. 

New Concept Technology is gaining a $45,000 grant for its New Concept Apprenticeship Program. The program supports apprentices in the advanced manufacturing industry with a focus on precision components and tooling. 

The apprenticeship program will support training in three critical skill areas: Tool & Die Maker, Quality Technician, and Mechatronics Technician. These roles are essential for maintaining production efficiency, product quality, and equipment reliability in modern manufacturing. 

JATC of Shamokin Electricians IBEW 607 is receiving a $293,000 grant for its Electrician Apprenticeship Program. 

IBEW LU 607 is an electrical construction trade union located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Training for the Electrician Apprenticeship Program consists of a 5-year program of over 900 classroom hours and 8,000 on-the-job training hours. 

The program provides the grounding necessary for an ever-changing, technology-driven future, per the release. Mandating 180 hours of classroom training per year along with 2000 hours on the job training, apprentices are incentivized to succeed.