Ceremonial bill signing highlights new budget’s job training, workforce development investments

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy Walker on Aug. 8 hosted a ceremonial bill signing in Greene County, Pa., to highlight the workforce development and job training investments resulting from the bipartisan 2024-2025 budget.

“I’m proud of the historic investments this budget makes in career and technical education and apprenticeship programs because those programs open the doors of economic opportunity and give Pennsylvanians the freedom to chart their own course,” Shapiro said. “My administration is showing that we value skills and experience.”

The 2024-25 budget includes a $30 million increase for career and technical education (CTE) programming and equipment and a $2 million increase in funding for nursing apprenticeships. The investments in CTE training and vocational-technical education, registered apprenticeship programs, and on-the-job training build on similar investments made last year.

“It’s fitting to be in Prosperity today because that’s what places like this bring to our families and communities — prosperity,” said the governor during the ceremony held at the Prosperity, Pa., UMWA Career Center. ”Every Pennsylvanian has a different path in life — and each should have the opportunity to succeed.”

In total, Shapiro and a bipartisan group of legislators have increased funding for workforce development by $61 million in the governor’s first two years in office, a more than 50 percent increase.

“Since my first day in office, I’ve been focused on getting stuff done for the good people of Pennsylvania — solving the most pressing problems we face and bringing people together in a bipartisan manner to deliver results,” Shapiro said.

The 2024-25 bipartisan budget also includes $7 million to support dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, allowing them to take advanced courses for college credit, according to the governor’s office.

“The governor often speaks about real freedom and the ability of each of us to chart our own course. Perhaps there is no area where this means more or has a greater impact than in the choices associated with the work we do,” said Secretary Walker. “We are investing millions of dollars in workforce development, in fields as diverse as manufacturing pre-apprenticeships to internships in video game development. This is money well spent.”

Also attending the ceremonial bill signing were Clemmy Allen, executive director of the UMWA Career Center (UMWACC); Chuck Knisell, vice president of UMWA Local Union 2300; Edward Helman, a program participant who is completing a course on mechatronics at the career center; and several Greene County officials.

“We dedicate our life to the next generation — they deserve to have an opportunity for their children to get trained, to follow a vocation, or to be involved in an apprenticeship program,” said Knisell. “We should strive to do the best we can to set up our children so they don’t have to worry about their own children moving on into the future.”

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