Lehigh Times

Funding in the amount of $200,000 through the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Program will be used for programs by the Chester County Economic Development Foundation (CCEDF) to benefit students in Berks and Chester counties who are interested in agricultural and manufacturing careers, Gov. Tom Wolf said in a press release by his office this week.

The program is called "Bridging Agriculture and Manufacturing in Berks and Chester Counties" and is available for students at Kutztown, Octorara, Oley Valley and Owen J. Roberts high schools, the release said. It involves CCEDF's AgConnect and Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties Industry Partnerships to "develop, deliver and evaluate career awareness and exploration." It is designed to be real-world experience in the agricultural and manufacturing fields outside the classroom with career showcases and other work-readiness programs, as well as participation in "Circuit Days" to give students a taste of visiting multiple manufacturers in a single day.

"CCEDF and AgConnect have been serving the agriculture community for more than a decade by providing workforce training, financing, and business services, and engaging our future workforce through career exploration programs," Gary Smith, CEO of CCEDF, said in the release. "However, as technology continues to increase, we realize that many of the available jobs in agriculture are in manufacturing. We are excited to showcase the breadth and depth of career options, increasing student opportunity and helping ensure farming and manufacturing can thrive in our region for years to come." 

The Manufacturing PA Initiative started in October 2017, the release said. Since its inception, it has funded 66 projects and invested $14.8 million through the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant program. The grants assist with job placement and get students who are interested in the fields ready for work. It also helps local manufacturers identify the vital needs for entry-level workers.

"Highlighting the connection between agricultural and manufacturing careers not only readies high school students for the workforce, it also broadens their horizons and helps them discover new career possibilities," Wolf said in the release. "CCEDF's program will inspire a new generation as it exposes them to how these two key industries work together to employ Pennsylvanians each year."