Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) was awarded $500,000 to expand its existing registered pre-apprenticeship program to increase awareness and preparation for careers within Pennsylvania’s heavy highway industry. These grant dollars will be used to strengthen the partnership between the College and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Western Pennsylvania through The Pathway 2 Build pre-apprenticeship program.
On Tuesday, October 20, The Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Education (PDE) announced that they will invest nearly $12 million in 27 Pennsylvania educational institutions across 21 counties through the first round of the PennDOT Career and Technical Education Grant Program.
The new competitive grant program supports career pathway education, technical training, industry certification, and on-the-job learning in the highway industry for middle school, high school, and college students. Eligible educational institutions will be able to use this funding to expand or create new education programs geared toward many skilled jobs in the industry, such as construction inspector, mechanic, laborer, electrician, stonemason, welder, painter, cost estimator, and surveyor.
“These grants will help schools start or expand programs to expose students to the trades that will continue building Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We’re proud to support the important work that Pennsylvania’s educational institutions do every day to prepare the next generation for whatever career path they choose.”
The grant program was developed following Governor Josh Shapiro’s July 2023 executive order that created the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program (CWTP), a first-in-the-nation job training program that provides workforce development investments to ensure companies, contractors, unions, and others who are working to build Pennsylvania’s infrastructure have the skilled workforce they need.
“Career and technical education programs are preparing learners to fill critical workforce gaps in Pennsylvania,” said PDE Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe. “These investments will help to uplift schools across the Commonwealth, in turn helping students prepare for in-demand jobs in Pennsylvania’s highway industry.”
This grant funding will be used to support the College’s Workforce Development division in The Pathway 2 Build Program, a pre-apprenticeship program managed by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Western Pennsylvania. NPRC is an educational provider for much of the program, which includes students earning National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)10, and First Aid/CPR certifications after concluding the pre-apprenticeship.
The program is open to high school students and adult learners throughout Pennsylvania, as it is not location dependent. The program will feature hands-on opportunities in person, with lectures conducted both in-person and remotely. Students can learn from their high schools, Career and Technical Centers (CTC), or at an existing lab space at NPRC or ABC.
The Pathway 2 Build Program features NCCER CORE curriculum to prepare students with the foundational safety, technical, and employability skills needed for success in the construction industry, while providing stackable credentials and a direct pathway into Registered Apprenticeship programs and employment. The OSHA 10 and First Aid/CPR certifications support the learning by providing safety training for learners to use on the job.
Businesses, CTCs, and high schools that are interested in helping students enroll or supporting the programming should contact the College’s Director of Apprenticeships and Customized Training, Nicole Zaun via email at nzaun@nprc.edu to learn more about the programming and how it can help their communities and learners.
Vice President of Workforce Development at NPRC Adam Johnson shared, “This grant funding permits NPRC the opportunity to expand Pathway 2 Build and, through our partnership with Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Western Pennsylvania, create stronger connections between education, apprenticeship, and employment. We’re investing in hands-on learning and industry-recognized skills that can open doors for our students, while helping build the skilled workforce needed to support our communities and Pennsylvania’s infrastructure.”
Zaun added, “I’m incredibly excited about what this funding will allow us to bring to our region. Being able to connect individuals with hands-on training and strong, in-demand career opportunities, while also helping meet the workforce needs of our local employers, is exactly the kind of impact we at NPRC want to make in our communities.”
For more information about the grant funding issued via the PennDOT Career and Technical Education Grant Program, visit here.
NPRC acknowledges that the information contained in this content is complete and accurate at time of publication. It is descriptive in nature and the college reserves the right to make any adjustments it deems necessary or desirable. Updates to programs, tuition, or other academic-related items will be reflected in the online College Catalog or on the respective College web pages. Questions regarding accuracy of content may be emailed to marketing@nprc.edu.