Pennsylvania Invests in Apprenticeships | ACHR News

The administration of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently announced a $3.9 million investment in pre-apprenticeship opportunities for Pennsylvania’s high school students. The funding, which was made possible through a partnership between the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), aims to support the creation of new and expansion of existing pre-apprenticeship programs within career and technical education (CTE) structures.

“CTE programs are a natural home for pre-apprenticeship programs, which offer industry-based training and classroom instruction so that future apprentices are ready with the skills and knowledge they will need to complete a full program,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “When we invest in our young people through apprenticeship programs, we offer them the freedom to earn a paycheck while they build the in-demand skills that employers need among their workforce. Those talent pipelines will sustain families, businesses and Pennsylvania communities for years to come across traditional and emerging industries.”

The investment is part of a broader effort by the Shapiro Administration to prioritize workforce development and boost career and technical education. Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has secured a $30 million increase for CTE programming and equipment and a $2 million increase in funding for nursing apprenticeships as part of the bipartisan 2024-25 budget. Combined with the 2023-24 budget, Pennsylvania is now investing $61 million more annually in workforce development than before Governor Shapiro’s term – representing a 50% increase in funding for CTE and apprenticeships in just two years.

“CTE programs connect Pennsylvanians with a pathway to a high-demand career, the ability to do work that they love, and a ticket to the middle class. I’m excited to see so many programs growing to offer these life-changing opportunities to more young people,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “When we invest in the education of the youngest Pennsylvanians, we secure a bright future for all of us in the Commonwealth.”

Pre-apprenticeship programs provide instruction, preparation, and supports to help individuals gain the skills they need to succeed in applying for a full apprenticeship program. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, apprentices earn a starting wage of $80,000 per year on average after graduation and are on track to earn $300,000 more over their careers compared to workers who do not graduate from an apprenticeship program. For every dollar spent on apprenticeships, employers get an average of $1.47 back in increased productivity.

The $3.9 million in funding will be distributed among several pre-apprenticeship programs across the state, focusing on industries and occupations experiencing rapid growth and high demand such as early childhood education, healthcare, cybersecurity, culinary arts, manufacturing, welding, information technology, allied health, and more.

Since Governor Shapiro took office, L&I has supported the enrollment of nearly 10,000 new apprentices and the creation of more than 55 new registered apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania.

Investing in Workforce Development

Governor Shapiro also recently visited SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 44 in Luzerne County to highlight how investments in workforce development, job training, apprenticeship programs, and vo-tech included in the bipartisan budget he signed into law this year are giving Pennsylvanians opportunities.

Thanks to a grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Local 44 is in the process of upgrading its training center to provide state-of-the-art technology and training for apprentices in high-need fields like HVAC, metal roofing, kitchen exhaust hoods, and air balancing. SMART currently has 32 active apprentices, all of whom are benefitting from the earn-as-you-learn model that the U.S. Department of Labor says puts them on track to earn an estimated $300,000 more over their careers compared to workers who don’t graduate from an apprenticeship program.

“I am committed to delivering results for the good people of Pennsylvania — tackling our most urgent challenges and bringing Democrats and Republicans together to get things done,” said Governor Shapiro. “I’m proud of the historic investments we’ve made in job training, apprenticeship programs, and career and technical education because these initiatives create pathways to economic opportunity and give Pennsylvanians the freedom to chart their own course. My Administration values skills and experience, recognizing that everyone’s journey is unique, and ensuring that every Pennsylvanian has the chance to succeed.”

The Governor was joined by Warren Faust, President of NEPA Building and Construction Trades Council, Bob Rushkowski, Training Coordinator at SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 44, and AJ Bonk, an apprentice at SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 44, as well as local and state legislators.

“These programs are not just about getting a job, they are about building a career and contributing to a sustainable future. Creating a state-of-the-art training center will help fill a vital need in the industry by ensuring that our apprentices receive top-notch, hands on training,” Rushkowski said. “This DCED grant is going to assist in integrating newer technology into the program, enabling us to build a 10-station CAD (Computer Aided Design) Lab. Training apprentices on the latest sheet metal fabrication tools and machinery can improve efficiency and precision, making them more competitive on the job. I am excited to invest in the young men and women from our area that are the future of this local.”

“I joined Local 44 Sheet Metal Workers Union in hopes of a stable career that would build upon the skills I had. This program gives local individuals access to the education, training, and skills needed to thrive in the highly competitive HVAC and Mechanical Contracting business,” Bonk said. “As sheet metal workers, we are the only trade that fabricates everything we install. The apprenticeship teaches young professionals how to fabricate, install, and design all aspects of a HVAC system and more. Because of Local 44, my wonderful and loving spouse, Mariah, and I have been able to purchase our first home and receive great healthcare.”

In the 2024-25 budget, Governor Shapiro secured significant investments to help open doors of economic opportunity and give Pennsylvanians the freedom to chart their own course – investing in all paths to success. In his first two budgets, Governor Shapiro secured an additional $61 million for career and technical education (CTE) and apprenticeships – a more than 50 percent increase. Both of the Governor’s first two budgets included sustainable funding for DCED’s Foundations in Industry program, which provided the grant for SMART Local 44’s training center.

Since day one, the Shapiro Administration has been focused on creating real opportunity for hardworking Pennsylvania workers to obtain good-paying jobs. The Shapiro Administration has approved over 50 new apprenticeship programs — with 15,755 registered apprentices currently active — and enrolled nearly 10,000 new apprentices since Governor Shapiro took office. The Department of Labor & Industry’s Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) also currently supports 884 unduplicated registered apprenticeship program sponsors and 1,561 occupation-specific programs across the Commonwealth. Additionally, there are 121 registered pre-apprenticeship programs and 1,213 pre-apprentices currently active.