July 31, 2023 - Pittsburgh PA
Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order creating the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program (CWTP), a first-in-the-nation job training program that provides workforce development grants to ensure companies, contractors, unions, and others who are working to build Pennsylvania's infrastructure have the skilled workforce they need. The program allows organizations doing important infrastructure work funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act(IIJA) or the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to receive up to $40,000 for each new worker they train. Under the CWTP, the Commonwealth will reserve at least 3% of all funding it receives from the IIJA and IRA to fund workforce development and on-the-job training, meaning that as much as $400 million could be used for workforce training in Pennsylvania over the next five years. This model initiative will be the largest infusion in funding for workforce training in Pennsylvania history and could support as many as 10,000 new jobs. "From the beginning of my Administration, I've been aggressive on creating real opportunity, breaking down barriers, and increasing opportunities for Pennsylvanians in the workforce, sending a clear message to our skilled workers that we value what they bring to the table," said Governor Josh Shapiro. "Thanks to President Biden's leadership, we have a historic opportunity to build infrastructure that will connect our communities, spur economic development, and create opportunity for generations to come - but we need the workforce to do that work. The Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program will help train the next generation of skilled workers in Pennsylvania and break down barriers that shut too many workers out of real opportunity. We're going to build Pennsylvania's infrastructure with the best, most highly-trained workforce in the country - and this initiative will be a model for other states to follow."List of SpeakersLieutenant Governor Austin DavisGovernor Josh ShapiroSecretary Nancy WalkerCongresswoman Summer LeeCounty Exec. Rich FitzgeraldDarrin Kelly, Allegheny Allegheny Labor CouncilWill Pickering, CEO Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
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