Williams announces $1.6 million in state funding for regional apprenticeship programs

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    September 27, 2024 | 10:05 AM

COATESVILLE, Sept. 27 – Regional southeastern Pennsylvania organizations with branches in Chester County will receive $1,596,635 in state funding to create and expand apprenticeship programs, state Rep. Dan Williams announced today.

“This nearly $1.6 million in state funding will help young people gain critical workforce skills while earning a paycheck in these in-demand fields in Chester County such as the medical, biomedical and transportation industries,” Williams said. “The new and expanded apprenticeship programs are a win-win for our jobseekers and employers alike. They will provide opportunities for talented young people to be trained in lucrative, growing fields and for companies to fill critical positions with highly qualified individuals from a diverse talent pool.”

The funding will be allocated to the following organizations:

  • $600,000 to Drexel University for its existing registered apprenticeship, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, and will leverage LPN and RN bridge models to build and register an Associate of Registered Nurse program. Drexel University works in partnership with the Chester County Intermediate Unit.
  • $596,989.70 for the Wistar Institute to expand its Biomedical Technician Training program to create a sustainable apprenticeship network for Quality Control Analysts. This program is available for students at Delaware County Community College, which serves Chester County.
  • $399,645.26 for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to establish a new welding apprenticeship, offering a two-year paid program to train and certify welders.

“I am proud to have voted for the past two Democratic budgets that have together invested over $61 million annually in workforce development, representing a 50% increase in funding,” Williams said. “This significant investment promises dividends in good-paying, family sustaining jobs, especially for underserved communities, and a thriving local economy for Chester County.”