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January 21, 2025 - Philadelphia, PA

ADVISORY - Getting Workforce Development Done: Shapiro Administration Highlights Nearly $400K Investment to Expand Early Childhood Education Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker joined Philadelphia Academies Inc. (PAI) and state and local leaders Tuesday evening to highlight nearly $400,000 in state funding that allowed PAI to expand its Early Childhood Education (ECE) Pre-Apprenticeship program, in partnership with Parkway West High School (PWHS).

Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro has made workforce development a cornerstone of his agenda. The Shapiro Administration has increased annual funding for workforce development initiatives statewide - including apprenticeships, career and technical education (CTE), and vocational-technical programs - by nearly $65 million over its first two budgets, a more than 50 percent increase over funding in the 2022-23 budget. The 2024-25 bipartisan budget also included a first-time investment of $2 million in nursing registered apprenticeship programs to help fill critical nursing positions across the Commonwealth.

As part of a $3.9 million investment in pre-apprenticeship opportunities for Pennsylvania high school students, the Shapiro Administration awarded PAI $399,132 last fall. With this investment, PAI is now launching an expanded version of its program, which includes a cohort of Black male students, with a focus on widening educational supports, addressing educational and racial inequities, and empowering young people through employment and leadership. Tuesday evening's ceremony celebrated the new chapter and made clear how Governor Shapiro's targeted investments in workforce development are making real impacts and supporting growth for organizations doing important work across the Commonwealth.

Speaker list:
Principal Will Brown, Parkway West High School
F. Christopher Goins, President & CEO, Philadelphia Academies, Inc.
Dr. Tony Watlington, Superintendent, School District of Philadelphia
Secretary Nancy Walker, Labor & Industry
Dr. Deborah Carerra, Chief Education Officer, City of Philadelphia