Governor Rendell Announces $9.4 Million Investment in Industry Partnerships, Workforce Training to Strengthen Pennsylvania's Economy

125 Grants Leverage Private Matching Funds for $18.8 Million Total Investment

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Workers in key industries statewide will be able to improve their skills and employers will become more competitive through Pennsylvania's new $9.4 million investment in industry partnerships and worker training, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

"This investment will boost Pennsylvania's economic growth by developing and retaining a highly skilled, well-trained workforce that helps businesses to compete in the global marketplace," said Governor Rendell. "Supporting advanced training for working men and women, career-focused education for young people and collaboration among businesses in vital industries will speed and strengthen Pennsylvania's economic recovery."

The investments provide $7.3 million for workforce training in key industries and $2.1 million to develop industry partnerships in which employers, workers and workers' representatives cooperate to improve their collective competitive position.

Combined with at least $9.4 million in private-sector funds, the total investment for these projects is more than $18.8 million.

More than 75,000 workers have been trained through more than 75 industry partnerships involving more than 6,300 businesses. Legislation now pending in the General Assembly would permanently establish the industry partnerships as part of the commonwealth's workforce development efforts.

"Industry partnerships have been instrumental in helping employers remain competitive even during the recession," said Governor Rendell. "I urge the General Assembly to pass the legislation — under consideration in both chambers right now — that would make this highly successful and proven program a permanent part of our workforce development system."

Industry partnerships can identify specific training needs and skill gaps, help connect young people to careers, help educational and training institutions arrange curriculum to meet business demands, address worker recruitment and retention, develop career ladders within companies, highlight best practices and promote communication among companies.

Applications and eligibility guidelines for industry partnership and industry partnership worker training program grants are available online at www.paworkforce.state.pa.us; click "Job Ready PA," then "Strengthening Pennsylvania's Industries," then "Industry Partnerships."

Media contacts:

Christopher S. Manlove, L&I; 717-787-7530

Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

Editor's Note: A list of grant recipients and key industries follows:

Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lebanon, Perry and York counties

Industry Partnership Grants

• $40,000 grant with $40,000 local funds; Total: $80,000 – South Central Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – South Central Workforce Investment Board – Logistics & Transportation
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – South Central Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $65,000 grant with $65,000 local funds; Total: $130,000 – South Central Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – South Central Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – South Central Workforce Investment Board – Logistics & Transportation
• $125,000 grant with $125,000 local funds; Total: $250,000 – South Central Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $200,000 grant with $200,000 local funds; Total: $400,000 – South Central Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Allegheny County

Industry Partnership Grants

• $10,000 grant with $10,000 local funds; Total: $20,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Business & Financial Services
• $20,000 grant with $20,000 local funds; Total: $40,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Clean Energy
• $20,000 grant with $20,000 local funds; Total: $40,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Steel Manufacturing
• $20,000 grant with $20,000 local funds; Total: $40,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $20,000 grant with $20,000 local funds; Total: $40,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $20,000 grant with $20,000 local funds; Total: $40,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Green Building & Construction
• $30,000 grant with $30,000 local funds; Total: $60,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Materials & Diversified Manufacturing

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $25,000 grant with $25,000 local funds; Total: $50,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Business & Financial Services
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Clean Energy
• $70,000 grant with $70,000 local funds; Total: $140,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Steel Manufacturing
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $120,000 grant with $120,000 local funds; Total: $240,000 – Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Materials & Diversified Manufacturing

Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties

Industry Partnership Grants

• $20,000 grant with $20,000 local funds; Total: $40,000 – Tri-County Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $45,000 grant with $45,000 local funds; Total: $90,000 – Tri-County Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Tri-County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $65,000 grant with $65,000 local funds; Total: $130,000 – Tri-County Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $155,000 grant with $155,000 local funds; Total: $310,000 – Tri-County Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing
• $90,000 grant with $90,000 local funds; Total: $180,000 – Tri-County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Beaver, Greene and Washington counties

Industry Partnership Grants

• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Board – Mining Energy
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Board – Oil & Gas Energy
• $55,000 grant with $55,000 local funds; Total: $110,000 – Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Board – Transportation & Logistics

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $90,000 grant with $90,000 local funds; Total: $180,000 – Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $25,000 grant with $25,000 local funds; Total: $50,000 – Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Board – Mining Energy
• $75,000 grant with $75,000 local funds; Total: $150,000 – Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Board – Oil & Gas Energy
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Board – Transportation & Logistics

Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntington and Somerset counties

Industry Partnership Grant

• $3,000 grant with $3,000 local funds; Total: $6,000 – Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grant

• $50,400 grant with $50,400 local funds; Total: $100,800 –Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Berks County

Industry Partnership Grant

• $60,000 grant with $60,000 local funds; Total: $120,000 – Berks County Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grant

• $60,000 grant with $60,000 local funds; Total: $120,000 – Berks County Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Bradford, Lackawanna, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grant

• $75,000 grant with $75,000 local funds; Total: $150,000 – Northern Tier Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Bucks County

Industry Partnership Grant

• $25,000 grant with $25,000 local funds; Total: $50,000 – Bucks County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grant

• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Bucks County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties

Industry Partnership Grants

• $8,000 grant with $8,000 local funds; Total: $16,000 –North Central Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing
• $28,000 grant with $28,000 local funds; Total: $56,000 – North Central Workforce Investment Board – Oil and Gas Energy

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 –North Central Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – North Central Workforce Investment Board – Oil and Gas Energy
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 –North Central Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Carbon, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties

Industry Partnership Grant

• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Pocono Counties Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grant

• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 –Pocono Counties Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties

Industry Partnership Grants

• $40,000 grant with $40,000 local funds; Total: $80,000 – Central Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Central Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Central Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Industry Partnership Workers Training Grants

• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Central Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Central Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Central Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Chester County

Industry Partnership Grants

• $40,000 grant with $40,000 local funds; Total: $80,000 – Chester County Workforce Investment Board – Energy
• $40,000 grant with $40,000 local funds; Total: $80,000 – Chester County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care (Bio-Medical)
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Chester County Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Chester County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Chester County Workforce Investment Board – Agriculture & Food Production

Industry Partnership Workers Training Grants

• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Chester County Workforce Investment Board – Energy
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Chester County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care (Bio-Medical)
• $170,000 grant with $170,000 local funds; Total: $340,000 – Chester County Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Chester County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $125,000 grant with $125,000 local funds; Total: $250,000 – Chester County Workforce Investment Board – Agriculture & Food Production

Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Venango and Warren counties

Industry Partnership Grants

• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Northwest Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Northwest Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Northwest Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 – Northwest Workforce Investment Board – Energy

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Northwest Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Northwest Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Northwest Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $75,000 grant with $75,000 local funds; Total: $150,000 – Northwest Workforce Investment Board – Energy

Delaware County

Industry Partnership Grant

• $40,000 grant with $40,000 local funds; Total: $80,000 – Delaware County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grant

• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Delaware County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Lancaster County

Industry Partnership Grants

• $20,000 grant with $20,000 local funds; Total: $40,000 – Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board – Agriculture and Food Production

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $75,000 grant with $75,000 local funds; Total: $150,000 – Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board – Food Manufacturing
• $75,000 grant with $75,000 local funds; Total: $150,000 – Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board – Agriculture and Food Production
• $75,000 grant with $75,000 local funds; Total: $150,000 – Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing, Plastics
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing, Industrial Maintenance
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Lawrence and Mercer counties

Industry Partnership Grants

• $20,000 grant with $20,000 local funds; Total: $40,000 – West Central Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $40,000 grant with $40,000 local funds; Total: $80,000 – West Central Workforce Investment Board – Transportation & Logistics
• $40,000 grant with $40,000 local funds; Total: $80,000 – West Central Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Industry Partnership Workers Training Grants

• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – West Central Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – West Central Workforce Investment Board – Transportation & Logistics
• $200,000 grant with $200,000 local funds; Total: $400,000 – West Central Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Lehigh and Northampton counties

Industry Partnership Grants

• $6,000 grant with $6,000 local funds; Total: $12,000 – Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board – Logistics & Transportation
• $6,000 grant with $6,000 local funds; Total: $12,000 – Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing
• $7,000 grant with $7,000 local funds; Total: $14,000 – Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board – Energy
• $10,000 grant with $10,000 local funds; Total: $20,000 – Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $90,000 grant with $90,000 local funds; Total: $180,000 – Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board – Logistics & Transportation
• $160,000 grant with $160,000 local funds; Total: $320,000 – Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board – Energy
• $125,000 grant with $125,000 local funds; Total: $250,000 – Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Luzerne, Schuylkill and Lackawanna counties

Industry Partnership Grants

• $13,000 grant with $13,000 local funds; Total: $26,000 –Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board – Logistics & Transportation
• $20,000 grant with $20,000 local funds; Total: $40,000 – Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board – Energy
• $40,000 grant with $40,000 local funds; Total: $80,000 – Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $6,000 grant with $6,000 local funds; Total: $12,000 – Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board – Logistics & Transportation
• $30,000 grant with $30,000 local funds; Total: $60,000 – Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction

Montgomery County

Industry Partnership Grants

• $40,000 grant with $40,000 local funds; Total: $80,000 – Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 –Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $50,000 grant with $50,000 local funds; Total: $100,000 –Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board – Food Manufacturing

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board – Food Manufacturing

Philadelphia County

Industry Partnership Grants

• $25,000 grant with $25,000 local funds; Total: $50,000 – Philadelphia County Workforce Investment Board – Education
• $35,000 grant with $35,000 local funds; Total: $70,000 – Philadelphia County Workforce Investment Board – Logistics & Transportation
• $100,000 grant with $100,000 local funds; Total: $200,000 – Philadelphia County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $65,000 grant with $65,000 local funds; Total: $130,000 – Philadelphia County Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $75,000 grant with $75,000 local funds; Total: $150,000 – Philadelphia County Workforce Investment Board – Education
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Philadelphia County Workforce Investment Board – Logistics & Transportation
• $300,000 grant with $300,000 local funds; Total: $600,000 – Philadelphia County Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 – Philadelphia County Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

Westmoreland and Fayette counties

Industry Partnership Grant

• $35,000 grant with $35,000 local funds; Total: $70,000 – Westmoreland/Fayette Workforce Investment Board – Health Care

Industry Partnership Worker Training Grants

• $115,000 grant with $115,000 local funds; Total: $230,000 – Westmoreland/Fayette Workforce Investment Board – Health Care
• $10,000 grant with $10,000 local funds; Total: $20,000 –Westmoreland/Fayette Workforce Investment Board – Building & Construction
• $150,000 grant with $150,000 local funds; Total: $300,000 –Westmoreland/Fayette Workforce Investment Board – Information & Communications
• $165,000 grant with $165,000 local funds; Total: $330,000 – Westmoreland/Fayette Workforce Investment Board – Advanced Manufacturing

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor