Lehigh Times

Pennsylvania is continuing to boost the construction industry with apprenticeship grants of more than $296,000 targeted for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 357 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Fund in Allentown.

According to a release by Gov. Tom Wolf’s office, the funds are to train 30 apprentices in Lehigh Valley. The funding is through the Pennsylvania Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program and will increase apprentices at IBEW Local 357 by approximately 15% over three years.

“I’m proud to announce these apprenticeship grant awards, which are crucial for Pennsylvania’s future,” Wolf said on Dec. 22. “Investing in apprenticeship programs like this one ensures there is a strong pipeline of new talent for the construction industry for many years to come.”

The curriculum for the program includes telecommunications wiring and fiber optics for increased broadband access to the rural and underserved parts of the state as well as solar power, programmatic logic controls, power quality and power grid updates, safe job practices and the National Electrical Code, the release said.

Upon completion, the program focuses on setting the apprentices up with 300 participating Lehigh Valley employer.

There have been 88 pre-apprentice and apprenticeship programs supported with approximately $14 million invested through the Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program since Wolf took office, according to the release. In connection with the Department of Community and Economic Development, the program works to prepare potential employees for their future employers.

“We are very grateful to DCED (Department of Community & Economic Development) for this apprenticeship grant that will help grow our existing program and expand apprenticeship opportunities in the Lehigh Valley,” Robert Franklin, training and safety director, IBEW Local 357, said. “With the ever-changing workforce and the retirement of the baby boomer generation, now is the perfect time to use these funds for outreach, registering and training the next generation of apprentices.”

Founded in 1914, IBEW Local 357 is a labor union that represents Pennsylvania men and women in the fields of electrical trade construction, public works, cable television, communications and power generation.