Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Special Correspondent Brad Webb, left, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, leads a tour of the Larry A. Ward Technology Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
Pennsylvania College of Technology has become the epicenter of the Biden Administration’s nationwide investment in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that provide students with the skills they need to meet the demands of today’s advanced manufacturing and high-tech workforce.
“Today’s historic investment in registered apprenticeships is a superhighway for our workforce infrastructure system and demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to both American workers and employers.” Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su made the remarks Thursday morning as she visited the college campus and announced a $4 million grant that will be used for the college’s registered apprenticeship program.
The grants, totaling more than $244 million nationwide, are not just “A one-off.”
“They create a pipeline of workers with in-demand skills and connect them to good jobs that bring real security to workers and their families.” Sue said. “This interconnected system will help ensure that all communities benefit from the jobs created by President Biden’s Invest in America policies.”
These programs prepare workers for jobs in high-demand advanced manufacturing industries, including in the Greater Williamsport region.
Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Special Correspondent Brad Webb, dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, leads a tour of Penn State Tech’s Larry A. Ward Technology Center on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Pictured, from left, are White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Penn State Tech President Michael J. Reed and Vice President for Workforce Development Shannon Munroe.
Registered apprenticeships are in areas such as K-12 education, clean energy, information technology and cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, supply chain, hospitality, the care economy and public sector occupations.
This particular grant will support what the university calls its Modular Industry-Driven Apprenticeship Strategy (MIDAS) program, which enables registered apprenticeship programs to train jobseekers in the skills needed for high-tech jobs, according to university president Michael Reid.
He noted that Penn students have a roughly 97 percent job success rate, so it’s not as if the school went unnoticed by Su or White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden.
Su and Tanden said they believe the university’s apprenticeship model should be an example for the rest of the country.
“Interconnected Opportunity Infrastructure” Sue said this is a way to transition students from the classroom into the workforce.
Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Special Correspondent A delegation including federal dignitaries, university representatives and the mayor of Williamsport toured parts of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s campus on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su announced more than $244 million in federal grant funding that will be invested in expanding the Registered Apprenticeship Program during a press conference at the school. Su was joined by PCT Chairman Dr. Michael J. Reed, President and Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology Brad Webb, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden and Mayor Derrick Slaughter.
Su said he looked at how the college was applying the apprenticeship model, citing government investments in the country’s bridges, highways, water, sewerage and energy services. “On Ramp” Our educational goals are to match existing workplace needs and develop tomorrow’s workforce.
Hsu and Tanden noted that apprenticeships like this one are an important pathway for graduates to have fulfilling career experiences.
Moreover, these workers are often able to find jobs in their neighborhoods with higher salaries, wages and benefits that allow them to support their families, and are in a position to take out mortgages, invest in homes, pay rent, buy cars, shop at local stores and restaurants, contribute to tax revenues, and provide for their families.
“The way I see it, when students are learning about right angles in maths class, they might ask, ‘Why?’, but when they get into an apprenticeship, it makes sense.” Sue said.
That is why Su described a university like this one as follows: “On Ramp” This refers directly to the nation’s infrastructure, but not to steel and concrete, but rather the infrastructure of the human body and brain.
Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Special Correspondent Brad Webb, dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, leads a tour of the Larry A. Ward Technology Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
For too long, Su said, education has not been linked to real jobs, and the path to prosperity has been broken, or a better model is needed.
She also noted that Reed said 97 percent of students find employment after graduation.
“Students here are gaining the skills they need and our investment is paying off. We do this at technical universities and community colleges across the country.” Su added.
“We’re here because it’s a great model.” “This MIDAS (Modular, Industry-Driven, Apprenticeship Strategy) will work to meet employer demand for advanced manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and across the nation,” Tanden said.
Su and Tanden asserted that this program is a great model not only for Pennsylvania but for the entire country. “They’ve been doing this for years and really understand the needs of businesses.”
Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Special Correspondent Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su announced the investment of more than $244 million in federal grant funding to expand registered apprenticeship programs during a press conference at Pennsylvania College of Technology on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
Essential to this, Tanden said, is the university’s business advisory group, which can learn from local businesses what skills they need and tailor learning models accordingly.
Su also toured a new clean energy house under construction on a site near the campus and said this kind of concept is right in line with Biden’s priorities: “So building clean energy resources for the future of this country and ensuring that educational institutions like PCT are aligned with the investments that the president’s policies will generate is really a central part of the administration’s strategy,” she said.
She added that the federal government sees what happens at the university, which serves as a central hub between apprenticeships and the businesses that need those skilled workers, as crucial to the nation’s success.
“This model will be a successful model for vocational training across the country.” Tanden said.
Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter said he was honored by the visit to his city.
Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Special Correspondent Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su announced the investment of more than $244 million in federal grant funding to expand registered apprenticeship programs during a press conference at Pennsylvania College of Technology on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
Slaughter noted how the city rose to fame in the 19th century as the world’s timber center.
Over time, the city diversified its economic base, fueled by abundant timber resources and an extensive network of sawmills.
Currently, it boasts a strong workforce of workers in advanced manufacturing, healthcare and biotechnology.
“This growth is supported by our strategic location and skilled workforce.” Slaughter said.
The city has blended its industrial traditions with modern technology and healthcare to maintain a vibrant economy.
“It’s great news that Williamsport will be the epicenter for the national launch of our further developed pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, which are a proven way to put people on a path to prosperity.” Slaughter said.
He added, “This important investment in our community will enable Penn State Tech to expand and offer these programs to communities in Williamsport and across the United States.”
“We’re fortunate to have a university like Pennsylvania College of Technology in our city.” The mayor said.
He saw the university as a place that continues to empower him. “Our tomorrow is a future made by hand.”
