HARRISBURG, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order directing hundreds of millions of federal dollars to help train workers for skilled labor jobs that have been hard to fill in Pennsylvania’s tight market.
Shapiro calls the Workforce Transformation Program a first-of-its-kind in the country. The governor calls the billions of federal dollars available for much-needed infrastructure projects across Pennsylvania a historic opportunity, but he says the next step is making sure there are skilled labor workers available to work on the projects.
“I've heard from companies and contractors and some union leaders who've all told me that they're struggling to find enough workers to do this to meet this demand,” Shapiro said.
“I'm signing an executive order establishing the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program. This will allow us to invest up to $400 million in federal funding in on the job workforce training over the next five years.”
Under the order, companies, contractors and unions who work on projects funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act can get up to $40,000 for each new worker they train, if they commit to keeping the person on for at least six months.
“This initiative is going to create opportunity for up to 10,000 people here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It's going to fill critical infrastructure needs with more trained workers who will be prepared, not only for that first project, but then for all the projects to come,” the governor said.
Related
Shapiro says the funds can also reimburse employers to remove other barriers to employment, like child care, uniforms, and certificate or licensing expenses.
More information on the Commonwealth Workforce Training Program is available at pa.gov/newjobs.
Related
