Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker today underscored the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to expanding apprenticeship opportunities for the next generation of Pennsylvania workers during a visit to Sigma Resources, a Pittsburgh company that prepares high school students for careers in video-game development through a registered pre-apprenticeship program supported by L&I’s Schools-to-Work initiative. During this visit, Secretary Walker announced Schools-to-Work awards totaling more than $3.3 million to 14 organizations throughout Pennsylvania, including Sigma Resources, which hosted the event.
Since the start of his Administration, Governor Josh Shapiro has been focused on creating real opportunities for people to obtain good-paying jobs. That’s why Governor Shapiro’s 2024-25 budget proposal builds on the 2023-24 budget with bipartisan support for investments in workforce development, including $6 million for registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. Schools-to-Work grants support workforce development programs, in partnership with schools, that establish or enhance employment and training pathways for Pennsylvania students.
“Students who have access to career training before they leave high school are empowered to make informed decisions about their next steps into the workforce, whether through training or higher education. Pre-apprenticeship programs are a critical tool in preparing the next generation of Pennsylvania workers, and I look forward to seeing the life-changing impacts of the programs funded through the Schools-to-Work initiative,” Secretary Walker said.
Sigma Resources, in partnership with its subsidiary Simcoach Games, will use its $250,000 Schools-to-Work grant to recruit 120 more students into its Junior Game Developer pre-apprenticeship program over the next few years.
With earlier Schools-to-Work funding, Sigma Resources launched a six-week long, summer workforce development program in game design and development. The program developed and trained 40 high school students to build transformational games, accelerating their ability to pursue higher education and workforce opportunities in emerging, non-traditional technology vocations. In 2022, the program held its first summer cohort as a registered pre-apprenticeship in the Commonwealth, and 120 students have since successfully completed the program.
“The grant we’ve been awarded amplifies our efforts to use game design as a powerful teaching tool, bridging the gap between immersive technologies and vital workforce skills. Through our registered pre-apprenticeship, students gain a holistic education in digital art, design, production, and more — preparing them for success across the technology sector,” said Sandeepa Kaleida, CEO of Sigma Resources.
Details about the programs of each Schools-to-Work grant recipient follow. Additional information about the Schools-to-Work program can be found on L&I’s website.
St. Marys Area School District (Elk County – $249,534)
St. Marys Area High School will establish a diversified occupations program known as the Dutch Innovation Lab and offer flexible learning options like independent study and hybrid learning, along with courses in electrical occupations and welding. Through a partnership with Penn State DuBois, students will receive stackable and transferable credentials that adhere to industry standards.
Bucks County Community College (Bucks County – $250,000)
Bucks County Community College is expanding its building and construction trades pre-apprenticeship program. In partnership with the Bucks County Workforce Development Board, local unions, and employers, the program aims to train graduates to enter registered apprenticeship programs with high-paying wages. The program aims to increase diversity in enrollment and offer math and literacy skills for entry into the trades.
Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research (Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties – $250,000)
Well-trained laboratory animal caretakers are needed in the biomedical science sector, but there is no established pathway to these positions from secondary education in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research (PSBR) plans to address this by establishing the first registered
Sigma Resources LLC (Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland counties – $250,000)
Sigma Resources LLC (Simcoach Games) plans to recruit 120 high school students during the summers of 2024, 2025, and 2026 for a pre-apprenticeship program training students for academic pursuits and meaningful employment in the technology industry and related fields. The program aims to prioritize diversity by recruiting minorities, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with disabilities.
Hamilton Health Center (Dauphin County – $250,000)
Hamilton Health Center will create a program for 30 low-income, at-risk high school seniors to join a Pennsylvania registered medical assistant apprenticeship program. Hamilton Health Center will offer education, clinical skills, life skills, and job opportunities to students facing significant barriers to entering healthcare careers. The project partners with K-12 school districts with high numbers of low-income students with the goal of connecting students with local healthcare employers.
York Electrical Institute (Adams and York counties – $248,185)
YEI is enhancing its pre-apprenticeship programming in York and Adams counties by offering high school students exposure to registered apprenticeships in the electrical industry. YEI will also engage 9th and 10th graders from 13 high schools in one-day Junior Achievement STEM Summits. With the addition of a youth program director and training director, YEI aims to provide training and resources to underrepresented populations in the electrical trades, including women and people of color.
Schuylkill Technology Center (Schuylkill County – $227,350)
Schuylkill Technology Center (STC) is launching a program to connect high school students in Schuylkill County with employment or post-secondary education opportunities. This project expands STC’s existing programs in residential/industrial electricity and electro-mechanical technology by introducing a pre-apprenticeship program sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Labor Union Local 743. The initiative will create pathways for 20 high school seniors to enter advanced manufacturing and building and construction fields in electrical occupations.
Catalyst Connection (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties – $250,000)
Catalyst Connection will broaden its industrial manufacturing technician pre-apprenticeship program by expanding work-based learning opportunities for participants. This initiative caters to the needs of regional manufacturing firms by supplying a talent pool with verified competencies, technical skills, and strong work ethic. Leveraging connections with more than 2,500 manufacturing companies and 60 school districts, along with community partnerships, the program will provide pre-apprenticeship experiences to 100 students.
Partnership for Career Development (Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties – $250,000)
The Transition Accommodated Pre-Apprenticeship (TAPA) for registered manufacturing technicians is designed for high school students with individualized education plans (IEPs). The program will accommodate diverse learning styles, offering participants a competitive advantage for entering registered apprenticeships, work experiences, or further education and training. The program will feature a customized intake process for all participants and will identify suitable manufacturing sites for visits and future opportunities.
Learned Potential (Philadelphia – $248,000)
The High Impact Tutor to Teacher Pre-Apprentice Program recruits, trains, and mentors tutors from various institutions to assist K-12 students in reading and math. Collaborating with Community College of Philadelphia, Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, Community Partnership Schools, and Boys Latin Charter School, the program aims to provide educational support and mentorship by creating a pipeline of tutors, fostering community engagement, academic excellence, and aspiring future educators.
We Love Philly (Philadelphia – $250,000)
Schools-to-Work funding will support the expansion of a registered digital media and marketing pre-apprenticeship and the launch a cybersecurity pre-apprenticeship. Both programs include basic literacy and math skills and socio-emotional support to help participants develop self-awareness, recognize self-worth, and build supportive connections, empowering them as leaders and agents of change in their communities.
School District of Philadelphia (Philadelphia – $250,000)
The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Pre-Apprenticeship Pipeline Program offers specialized education and training in CEA production methods, intending to meet the demand for CEA workers in Pennsylvania, especially in Philadelphia. Preparing high school students for careers in indoor farming, the CEA program will serve as a model for other districts to implement similar programs. The curriculum includes hands-on learning, internships, and research opportunities, preparing students for careers in agricultural technology.
Chester Upland School District (Delaware County – $250,000)
The Exit 6 Pre-Apprenticeship Training Academy at Chester Upland Career and Technical Center prepares students for the workforce by developing the essential skills and experiences necessary for a seamless transition from the high school classroom into the workforce. By partnering with local businesses and universities, the registered apprenticeship programs will build connections between school and work, offering hands-on experience in carpentry, labor union, and marketing, including academic support.
Workforce Solutions for North Central PA (Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter counties – $156,000)
The North Central Workforce Development Board, in collaboration with local employers and school districts, will establish pre-apprenticeship to registered apprenticeship pathways, connecting high school students with employment or postsecondary education opportunities in nursing and the electrical trades. Students will gain the basic skills needed for apprenticeship entry exams.