Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has announced new funding for the development and construction of a new apprenticeship training center along Route 18 in Lawrence County.
The center will allow the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 712 to expand their apprenticeship training capabilities and fulfill the union’s educational needs for years to come, according to a statement from the governor office.
“One of the goals of my PAsmart initiative is to invest in apprenticeships, which offer rewarding careers for Pennsylvanians in a number of skilled trades,” Gov. Wolf stated. “This funding will help expand the IBEW’s apprenticeship program, providing opportunities for new labs and classrooms to train the next generation of electrical workers.”
The Western Central PA Electrician Joint Apprenticeship was awarded $1 million for the construction of a state-of-the-art 20,000-sq.-ft. electrical apprenticeship training center on a six-acre parcel in along Route 18 in Lawrence County.
The construction of the training center consists of classrooms, a computer lab, break room, offices, locker rooms and specialized instruction spaces. The building design and systems will incorporate many environmentally friendly concepts, including geothermal HVAC systems and solar arrays.
Upon the completion of the training center, the existing training center in Vanport Township will be razed and replaced with the new educational development center. The building will have a large multi-use instruction space used for educational courses and seminars, offices for administration, common spaces and restrooms.
