Member News

The Manufacturers’ Association Receives Grant to Expand the ‘Apprenticeship Ecosystem’ in Southcentral Pennsylvania

(York, PA) – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry awarded a $519,338 grant to The Manufacturers’ Association of York, PA to expand the ‘Apprenticeship Ecosystem’ which will support local manufacturers efforts to grow the skilled workforce in Adams, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York Counties.

This forward-leaning project is expanding the Association’s registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs by adding new employers as well as apprentices and pre-apprentices, especially non-traditional manufacturing populations and the underemployed to boost access to apprenticeships and manufacturing careers. The funds will be used for the Association’s new Center of Excellence for Apprenticeship and Training, launched in 2021, by adding new equipment to the Center’s machine shop. The new equipment will support hands on learning which is a hallmark of registered apprenticeships. Apprenticeships combine classroom training, on-the- job training, and mentoring from journey workers.

The Association’s apprenticeship program trained over 100 apprentices in 2021 and enrolled over 84 high school students in the pre-apprenticeship program in the 2021-2022 school year. “Apprenticeships are a proven model of success for developing skills for both the employer and employee, and with a challenging labor market, apprenticeships are another competitive edge for employers to leverage” said Tom Palisin, Executive Director of the Manufacturers’ Association.  

The pre-apprenticeship program will focus on engaging high school students in manufacturing careers and achieving industry credentials that can be used as credit towards a full registered apprenticeship with employers. In support of the pre-apprenticeship program, Mike Granby, Board President of the Manufacturers’ Association said, “Manufacturers who invest the time to develop students’ interest in modern manufacturing careers will have a competitive edge in securing future talent.”

“Manufacturers understand that they need to take control of the workforce development process, and to invest in schools, the community and in programs like this to secure the talent needed to increase economic prosperity in the region,” Granby added.

The Association received funding in 2020 to establish the ecosystem model in southcentral PA and has expanded to seven different registered trades including a first in the state 4-Year robotics apprenticeship which was announced in 2021. The funding will assist in adding additional trades to the program that will enable more companies to participate.

The Manufacturers’ Association apprenticeship program was established in 2005 and has credentialed hundreds of journey workers during its history. The program supports over 43 manufacturers in southcentral PA and is the largest manufacturing apprenticeship program in the region. 

For questions about the new state-funded grant or to start your apprenticeship program please contact Brian Paterniti, Director of Workforce Development, at (717) 843-3891 or by email at bpaterniti@mascpa.org.