The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recently awarded a $250,000 grant to the Manufacturers' Association of Emigsville to establish a unique apprenticeship ecosystem that will support manufacturers in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties.
The purpose of this forward-leaning project is to establish a registered apprenticeship ecosystem in southcentral Pennsylvania by expanding employer program participation, increasing the number of journey workers, and adding apprentices and pre-apprentices. The association has also been able to increase the number of trades included, such as toolmakers, machinists, maintenance mechanics, mechatronics technicians, quality technicians, and industrial manufacturing technicians, and it recently submitted paperwork to the state to add a registered automation robotics technician. Secondary objectives of the new program include increasing participation of nontraditional populations, which are typically underserved by trades training, and more efficiently aligning available resources to better support economic growth throughout the region.
The program has expanded in recent years by creating a mentor training program, adding college credit and establishing a high school pre-apprenticeship program to prepare the future skilled workforce.
The association currently has more than 80 apprentices from more than 30 companies in its multi-year apprentice training program, which aims to help regional manufacturers create a steady pipeline of skilled workers to meet their needs moving into the future.
The southcentral Pennsylvania manufacturing sector was recently awarded a second round of funding to further support the Next Gen Manufacturing Industry Partnership.
The commonwealths PAsmart Next Generation grants provide funds to support the development, launch, implementation, and technical assistance of Next Gen Industry Partnerships (IP), which address the workforce, economic development, and educational needs of regional industries through an employer led and demand-driven approach.
Over the past year, the Southcentral PA Manufacturing Next Gen Industry Partnership of regional manufacturing leaders created action teams that focused on the most urgent needs identified by the industry. Those include promoting manufacturing careers to grow the future workforce, improving training opportunities for middle-skill and technical occupations, and facilitating business-to-business connections to exchange best practices.
The partnership is facilitated by The Manufacturers Association which works with regional organizations to support the employers initiatives - these groups include SCPaWorks - the regional Workforce Development Board, the Southcentral PA Partnership for Regional Economic Performance, and the educational partners in southcentral Pennsylvania. The private sector driven initiative is led by two employer co-champions, Weldon Solutions, a manufacturer of grinding machines and robotic integration; and Phoenix Contact, a global leader in electronic connectors.
Manufacturing CEOs interested in participating in the Next Gen Partnership should contact the partnership through The Manufacturers' Association.
The Manufacturers' Association is a multi-county trade association serving as an advocate and partner for manufacturing and logistics in southcentral Pennsylvania and northcentral Maryland. The organization provides apprentice and skilled trade training, workforce development programs, group benefit insurance, and member educational and networking events for its member companies.
For more information about the new state-funded grants, to start an apprenticeship program, or about the Next Gen Manufacturing Partnership, readers may contact Brian Paterniti at 717-843-3891 or bpaterniti@mascpa.org.
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