Chesco Workforce Development Board gets $150,000 grant

WEST CHESTER >> State Reps. Carolyn Comitta and Christina Sappey today announced that the Chester County Workforce Development Board has been awarded $150,000 to help businesses and school districts work together to better prepare students for indemand careers.

“I’m thankful that our community’s next generation of workers will have extensive opportunities to learn about the multitude of careers available to them,” Comitta said. “This is a promising investment into the future of our commonwealth, our job market and our students.”

“While I believe strongly in learning for learning’s sake, it is important to offer opportunities for children and youth to explore different careers, which in turn better prepare tomorrow’s workforce,” Sappey said.

The Department of Labor & Industry awarded $2.4 million for BusinessEducation Partnership grants to 19 local workforce development boards across the commonwealth. The partnerships will connect schools, employers and students to provide career-related experiences and opportunities through soft-skills development, internships, workplace shadowing and career mentoring, all with the goal of preparing students for good local jobs.

“Our economy is telling us that specific jobs are in great demand but short supply,” Rep. Dan Williams said. “These investments in workforce development and training will ensure that Pennsylvania students are well prepared to succeed in the working world. My thanks to Governor Wolf for these awards.”

Said Rep. Danielle Friel Otten: “Career and technical education allows students to discover their individual talents and explore rewarding career pathways that may not require a fouryear degree. Grants like this help us grow opportunities for students ready to make their mark in the workforce. I’m grateful to the administration for steering these grants into Chester County, and I congratulate the Workforce Development Board for earning the award.”

The Business-Education Partnership grants from L&I are funded through federal money made available from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act.