Apprentices earn an average starting wage of $70,000 annually after graduating from an apprentice program, according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE | On Oct. 5, 2022, The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced new grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America initiative. This funding consists of $2.75 million for the modernization and upkeep of the Commonwealth’s apprenticeship programs and $3.9 million for diversity and inclusion.
“The economy is ever-changing, requiring more and more specialized skills among workers,” said L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier. “As leaders in the field of workforce development, the Wolf Administration is constantly innovating how we create access to this training and remains committed to ensuring all Pennsylvanians – especially those in historically marginalized communities — have equitable access to opportunities that advance their skillset and offer family-sustaining career pathways.”
Currently, L&I plans to use $2.75 million to bolster 15 local workforce development boards (LWDBs) to provide citizens with better apprenticeship opportunities. The additional $3.9 million in federal grants will be distributed through the department’s Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO), so the ATO may create more diverse and inclusive apprenticeship programs for local workforces and PA CareerLink staff. The ATO will assist apprenticeship programs by providing training webinars for LWDBs and informing them how they can use the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to aid apprentices.
“LWDBs not only support apprentices but also provide the leadership necessary to bring key regional partners together to support Pennsylvania’s registered apprenticeship model,” said Tara Loew, director of the ATO. “Their sustained commitment to promoting apprenticeship as a service to both employers and job seekers will help accelerate the growth of local apprenticeship ecosystems that are supported by the ATO.”
Learn more about apprenticeship programs and opportunities at apprenticeship.gov
