Burns: $143,000 awarded to expand local school-workforce development program
Grant will enable 11,000 western Pa. students to work with employers, gain experience
Rep. Frank Burns December 23, 2020 | 10:36 AM
EBENSBURG, Dec. 23 – Building on his push to expand Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector and create good, family-sustaining jobs, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today announced a local workforce development program will receive $143,000 to expand across western Pennsylvania.
“Since day one I’ve always worked to support our manufacturing sector and help private industry create good, family sustaining jobs,” Burns said. “This program will help link existing companies with local students to help them get ahead in the workforce – a win-win.”
The $143,000 grant will enable Johnstown-based The Challenge Program to expand its existing Manufacturing Awareness Program to 11,0000 students in western Pennsylvania. Numerous local schools already participate in the program, which helps students in grades 10-12 at participating high schools learn more about local manufacturers, gain a greater understanding of opportunities in manufacturing and specific positions that manufacturers are seeking to fill locally, and obtain the training/educational pathways to enter those careers.
Burns has tirelessly promoted business development since taking office, reaching out to Fortune 500 companies to locate business in Cambria County, working to create Cambria County’s first KOZ, and last year introduced several bills to promote PA manufacturing as part of his ‘American Made Jobs Plan.’