Governor Tom Wolf announced the approval of funding for the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology to support its post-secondary training program for certified welding and metal fabrication.
The grant will come from the governor’s Manufacturing PA initiative and “will enable the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology to significantly expand manufacturing training and job opportunities for Mifflin and Juniata residents,” said Wolf in a statement.
The $200,000 grant will support collaboration with local manufacturers to identify and teach the essential skills for entry-level applicants by providing local training opportunities for certified welding.
The grant will be used to cover the costs of retrofitting an unused program space to create a stand-alone welding facility. This also includes the purchase of American Welding Society-recognized curricula, hiring of an instructor and outreach efforts.
Local manufacturing companies involved in the project include Overhead Door Corporation, Central PA Dock & Door, and Meeker Equipment Co.
The Pennsylvania Manufacturing Training-to-Career grant is designed to provide funding for training programs to help unemployed and underemployed individuals, as well as those with barriers, to gain the skills they need to gain employment in the manufacturing sector. Eligible applicants include technical and trade schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations that develop new and innovative training programs and partner with two or more manufacturers.
