On May 6, Sen. Nick Miller (D-14th) announced $499,383 in Schools-to-Work grants for Lehigh and Northampton counties to strengthen workforce development opportunities for local students by connecting classroom learning with hands-on career training in high-demand industries.

“We are extremely grateful to receive grant money from the state, which will provide our students the ability to connect practical classroom knowledge and industry-based experience,” said Joseph Kovalchik, Northampton Area School District superintendent. “The students and the overall community will benefit from the Schools-to-Work grant program as students prepare for their future careers.”

Investments include $249,383 for NASD. Funding will support the creation of a chemistry lab pre-apprenticeship program that prepares students for careers in laboratory science, healthcare and advanced manufacturing. Funding is also for Lehigh Carbon Community College for $250,000. Funding will pilot electrician and fiber optics training programs to prepare students for pre-apprenticeships and careers in the expanding electrical and data center workforce.

“These investments will prepare students for success in a modern workforce. Northampton Area School District’s new chemistry lab pre-apprenticeship program will equip students with hands-on skills for careers in laboratory science, healthcare and advanced manufacturing,” Miller said. “At the same time, Lehigh Carbon Community College’s electrician and fiber optics training programs will prepare students for pre-apprenticeships and in-demand careers in the growing electrical and data center industries. The skills developed through these grants are essential to expanding opportunity for students at every stage of their education and to ensuring our region remains competitive for generations to come.”

The funding is part of a $2.7 million statewide investment announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to support the expansion and creation of 11 Schools-to-Work programs across the commonwealth. The Schools-to-Work program is designed to strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce pipeline by ensuring students graduate with the skills, credentials and experience needed to succeed in today’s economy and is 100% state funded.