August 15, 2025 - Nanticoke, PA

ADVISORY - In Luzerne County, Governor Shapiro Visits IBEW Local 163 Training Center to Highlight His Administration's Focus on Expanding Pennsylvania's Workforce to Create Jobs and Grow the Economy

Governor Josh Shapiro visited the IBEW Local 163 JATC Electrical Training Center in Luzerne County to highlight his Administration's historic investments in workforce development that have helped the Commonwealth's economy grow. Under the Governor's leadership, the Commonwealth has significantly increased funding for vo-tech, career and technical education (CTE), and apprenticeships - opening more pathways for Pennsylvanians to gain in-demand skills, secure good-paying jobs, and help businesses grow.

These investments are helping Pennsylvania workers prepare for new opportunities created by historic private sector investments - and helping the Commonwealth win record-breaking deals. Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has secured more than $25.2 billion in private investment, creating over 11,200 jobs across the Commonwealth. This includes an initial $20 billion commitment from Amazon Web Services - the largest single private investment in Pennsylvania history - to build high-tech cloud computing and artificial intelligence campuses in multiple locations, including Salem Township in Luzerne County. The project will create thousands of high-paying tech, construction, and supplier jobs and establish Pennsylvania as a national leader in AI and next-generation technology.

To support this growth, the Commonwealth is investing an initial $10 million to expand workforce training, vo-tech, and CTE statewide - ensuring Pennsylvania workers have the skills to succeed in the jobs of the future. Reflecting that leadership, Code for America recently ranked Pennsylvania among the top three states for AI readiness in its July 2025 Government AI Landscape Assessment.

"There are many paths to success - whether it's college, the military, an apprenticeship, or going straight into a job - and in Pennsylvania, we're making sure every one of those paths is open and accessible," said Governor Shapiro. "We've increased our investments in vo-tech, CTE, and apprenticeships by 50 percent so that more Pennsylvanians have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed. By expanding apprenticeships and partnering with our unions, we're building a highly-skilled workforce that will grow our economy and creating real opportunity for Pennsylvanians in communities across the Commonwealth."

Speaker List:
John Olejnik, Business Manager, IBEW Local 163
Governor Josh Shapiro
Matt Atherton, Apprentice, IBEW Local 163
Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, President & CEO, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber
Holly Pilcavage, VP of Enrollment & Student Success, Luzerne County Community College

• Full Advisory