Funding to prepare students for jobs in high-growth industries

WEST CHESTER >> Gov. Tom Wolf announced more than $2.6 million in Business-Education Partnership (BEP) grants to 22 local workforce development boards (LWDBs). The grants connect businesses and schools to provide students with job training for high growth jobs in Pennsylvania.

Chester County Workforce Development Board was awarded $104,200. Delaware County Workforce Development Board got $150,000 and Montgomery

County Workforce Development Board got $100,000.

“Pennsylvania employers need more well-educated and highly-skilled workers. These grants will strengthen and expand the ties between the classroom and the workplace, allowing students to learn the job skills to succeed in today’s workforce,” Wolf said. “Our 21st century economy demands a technically skilled, job-ready workforce and my administration is committed to helping our young people obtain the skills they need to succeed.”

The BEP grant awards, which were 100 percent federally funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act, increase awareness of in-demand technical careers for students, parents, guardians, teachers, and school faculty.

The Business-Education Partnerships program provides career-related experiences and development opportunities through soft-skills development, internships, workplace shadowing, and career mentoring, all with the goal of engaging more students in acquiring the technical skills needed by employers.

“Labor & Industry is proud to administer this funding to encourage students interested in exploring career and technical education opportunities,” said L&I Secretary Jerry Oleksiak. “The BEP program helps connect teachers, employers and students to provide young people with work-based learning experiences that places them on a path for future career success.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO Retired Downingtown Police Chief James R. McGowan III died Monday. He is pictured speaking at a Downingtown community event.