Nearly $500,000 awarded to area schools to prepare students for employment
Legislators recognize need for available training in high-demand fields
Rep. Frank Burns March 28, 2025
EBENSBURG, March 28 -- State Rep. Frank Burns and state Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr. today announced $499,120 in state grant funding is going to two area school districts to help them with employment and training opportunities for students who plan to enter the workforce after high school.
These Schools-to-Work grants awarded to Forest Hills School District and Admiral Peary Area Vocational Technical School from the PA Department of Labor and Industry will help schools expand pre-apprenticeships, classroom training and job shadowing initiatives.
“College isn’t for everyone, and this funding will help those students who choose differently so they can avoid barriers to employment and work toward their future career path,” said Burns, D-Cambria. “It’s important to make sure students are prepared for the high-demand jobs by getting the hands-on training they need to enter the workforce in these careers, which also gives employers access to a qualified workforce.”
“I am pleased to see this funding secured for the expansion of workforce development programs at Forest Hills School District and Admiral Peary AVTS,” said Langerholc, R-Cambria/Centre/Clearfield. “These programs will help address the workforce shortage facing our area by preparing students to enter apprenticeships programs in critical fields that support our regional economy.”
Forest Hills School District will use its $250,000 for pre-apprenticeship training in Computer-Aided Design and Drafting and Industrial Manufacturing. The Future-Ready Ranger initiative creates a structured pathway with STEM/CADD education in seventh and eighth grades and specialized training by ninth grade.
Admiral Peary ATVS will use its $239,120 grant to enhance its welding pre-apprenticeship program with new training materials, safety gear, welding machines and work with partnered apprenticeship programs to improve enrollment and transition statistics.
Both legislators supported increased funding for vo-tech, career and technical education and apprenticeships by nearly $65 million in the last two state budgets.