The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Schools-to-Work Program recently awarded a $250,000 grant to partner host organizations YBA Workforce NOW® Foundation and the York County Alliance for Learning (YCAL) for their Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
Funding for this grant will support expanding this pre-apprenticeship program from June 2023 through May 2025. The Workforce NOW Foundation and YCAL partnered to launch a pilot version of this program in September of 2022, and this is the largest grant it has received so far.
“The funds will help us cover some staff expenses for training and instructors, enhance curriculum, further develop programs, extend our marketing & school outreach, as well as purchase hands-on workstations and materials for the students,” said Workforce NOW Foundation Executive Director Melissa Longenberger.” We are very grateful for this support. These funds will directly impact our ability to develop more trained workers, fill holes in the skills gap, and place more local individuals in well-paying jobs.”
In partnership with YCAL, YBA’s Workforce NOW Foundation developed the pre-apprenticeship program to help rebuild the skilled trades workforce in York County and offer future skilled trade professionals the opportunity to build their skill sets and gain first-hand experience before joining the workforce. YCAL Executive Director Kevin Appnel stated that “YCAL’s primary role in this project is to help our schools connect their students to this great opportunity that Workforce NOW is providing. Partnering with them will provide the students with exposure to different segments of the industry and additional opportunities to interact with various employers within the York Builders Association’s membership. It’s a perfect alignment for both of our organizations’ goals and I’m excited to expand the number of students we can connect to this program thanks to this grant.”
The current program, the 2022-2023 Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program, runs from September 2022 – April 2023. Twenty-seven students from 11 area schools are participating in monthly training that includes plumbing, framing, electrical, drywall, and masonry, as well as introductions to AutoCAD and blueprint design/reading. In addition, students have already completed a 10-hour OSHA Construction Safety Course and receive an OSHA Certification Card at the completion of the course. The grant will enhance this pilot program and create a more diverse experience for students in various aspects of the building trades.
About YBA Workforce NOW® Foundation
The YBA Workforce NOW Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and connecting future construction industry professionals with the opportunities available to them in the local building industry. To learn more, contact the Foundation at 717-767-2444 or visit www.ybaworkforcenow.com.
About York County Alliance for Learning (YCAL)
The York County Alliance for Learning is a non-profit organization that works with businesses and schools to provide career education, relevant academic experiences, and work-based learning to York County students. YCAL is a non-profit organization under the 501(c)(3) regulations. YCAL is supported in part by corporate donations; any investment is tax-exempt. YCAL is an approved Education Improvement Organization under the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. For more information, and opportunities to help support YCAL’s mission, please visit www.ycal.us or contact Executive Director Kevin Appnel at kappnel@ycal.us
