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Workforce grant program to offer $1.5 million to building and construction apprenticeship programs 

Ioannis Pashakis//March 22, 2022

Workforce grant program to offer $1.5 million to building and construction apprenticeship programs 

Ioannis Pashakis//March 22, 2022

Apprenticeship programs within the building and construction trades are eligible for part of $1.5 million in grant funding through Pennsylvania’s workforce diversity grant program. 

Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced on Tuesday that the new round of grants will be available to state apprenticeship programs to develop diverse talent pipelines and reach underrepresented populations within building and construction. 

Applicants will design or build new or design upon existing apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs to reach underrepresented populations, the department wrote in a release. 

“There’s no question that diversity within the workforce promotes equity among workers, innovation within business and strength in our economy overall. One extremely effective way of achieving workforce diversity, equity and inclusion is through apprenticeship programs that allow workers to earn while they learn,” Berrier said. 

The grants are offered through the department’s Apprenticeship and Training Office. The Wolf Administration established the office in 2016 to support and expand apprenticeship programs across the state. 

The grant is meant to help programs target women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, socio-economic disadvantaged individuals, individuals who speak English as a second language, individuals who were previously incarcerated or individuals experiencing multiple barriers to employment. 

Applications for grant funding are due by April 21.