PENNSYLVANIA — The Wallenpaupack Area School District has received $500,000 to implement a new welding program as part of an $11.8 million round of grants from the Shapiro administration. 

On October 20, the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Education (PDE) announced that they will invest nearly $12 million in 27 Pennsylvania educational institutions in 21 counties through the first round of funding for the PennDOT Career and Technical Education grant program.

The new competitive grant program supports career pathway education, technical training, industry certification, and on-the-job learning in the highway industry for middle, high school, and college students. Eligible educational institutions will be able to use this funding to expand or create new education programs geared toward many skilled jobs in this industry such as construction inspector, mechanic, laborer, electrician, stonemason, welder, painter, cost estimator, and surveyor.

“These grants will help schools start or expand programs to expose students to the trades that will continue building Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We’re proud to support the important work that Pennsylvania’s educational institutions do every day to prepare the next generation for whatever career path they choose.”

The grant program was developed following Governor Josh Shapiro’s July 2023 executive order that created the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program (CWTP), a first-in-the-nation job training program that provides workforce development investments to ensure companies, contractors, unions, and others who are working to build Pennsylvania’s infrastructure have the skilled workforce they need.

“Career and technical education programs are preparing learners to fill critical workforce gaps in Pennsylvania,” said PDE Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe. “These investments will help to uplift schools across the Commonwealth, in turn helping students prepare for in-demand jobs in Pennsylvania’s highway industry.”