L&I invests $1.3M in computer skills programs for workforce development

Organizations with computer skills training programs across the state will be awarded part of a $1.3 million investment by the state Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) to strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce.

Millersville University in Lancaster County, The Valley Lighthouse in Dauphin County and The Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon in Lebanon County are just a few recipients of the department’s Digital Literacy and Workforce Development Grants.

Organizations can receive up to $45,000 through the grant program to promote digital literacy skills for people looking for work.

L&I announced its list of winners this week. The program comes at a time where workers need skills to navigate the new economy emerging in the wake of the pandemic, said Jennifer Berrier, L&I’s acting secretary.

“The Digital Literacy and Workforce Development Grants will help ensure that workers develop the basic digital skills they need to succeed when applying for jobs and performing essential job duties that will be required of them in their new career,” said Berrier.

Millersville University, The Valley Lighthouse and The Literacy Council received $45,000 through the program.

Millersville University was awarded the funding in order to partner with two libraries to deliver computer and digital literacy training through both in-person instruction and online courses.

Funds given to The Valley Lighthouse, as well as SCPa Works on behalf of the Employment Skills Center in Cumberland County and the Perry County Literacy Council in Juniata and Perry counties, will go towards targeting digital literacy and career readiness skills for women displaced by the pandemic.

The Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon’s funds will go towards its Digital Literacy for Employment Success project designed to bridge the digital literacy gap within Lebanon.

“As Pennsylvania deals with the increased demand for employees to be able to telework, we must ensure that employees can effectively navigate the technology platforms used in the workplace,” said Sheila Ireland, L&I’s deputy secretary for workforce development.

Other recipients and their awards include:
• Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (Columbia County: $45,000; Northumberland County: $45,000; Union County: $45,000)
• Intermediate Unit 1 (Washington County: $45,000)
• Jane and Annette Herr Memorial Library (Union County: $40,000)
• Northern Tier Workforce Development Board (Bradford County: $41,363; Sullivan County: $10,432; Susquehanna County: $21,019; Tioga County: $43,913; Wyoming County: $16,843)
• Tuscarora Intermediate Unit #11 (Mifflin County – $44,164)
• Blueprints (Greene County – $45,000)
• Intermediate Unit 1 (Greene County – $45,000)
• Literacy Pittsburgh (Allegheny County – $45,000; Beaver County – $45,000)
• Private Industry Council (Fayette County – $45,000; Westmoreland County – $45,000)
• Titusville Regional Literacy Council (Crawford County – $41,877; Forest County – $37,802)
• Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation, Inc. (Berks County – $45,000)
• Community Learning Center (Philadelphia County – $45,000)
• Full Circle Computing, Inc. (Chester County – $45,000)
• Goodwill Industries of NEPA (Lackawanna County – $45,000)
• Luzerne County Community College (Luzerne County – $45,000)
• Manor College (Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties – $45,000)
• Scranton Lackawanna Human Development Agency (Lackawanna County – $45,000)