DVIRC, an economic development business consulting firm, plans to use the funding for two primary activities on behalf of six participating companies. First, DVIRC will facilitate a strategic planning process with the companies to determine the requirements of the training collaborative to plan for the future demand for workers. This will help address the long-term challenges facing the sector, according to a press release by the Pennsylvania government.

Second, DVIRC will work with immigrant/refugee service organisations to create an informal network that will identify, screen, and place viable candidates into vacant positions to address their current need. This will place a minimum of ten individuals in open positions with participating companies and will include on-the-job training.

“The funding awarded today will help increase workers in the manufacturing industry while taking steps to ensure there is a long-term solution,” said governor Wolf. “Throughout my administration, I have been committed to supporting Pennsylvania’s vital manufacturing industry. I am always pleased when MTTC funding is awarded and am proud of what this programme has achieved.”

“The DVIRC is extremely grateful to DCED for this MTTC funding, which will help us increase the capacity for skilled manufacturing talent that is so desperately needed throughout the region,” said Tony Girifalco, DVIRC’s executive vice president. “Within the project, we will also be working with several immigrant and refugee service organisations to tap into their client base to increase the pool of workers for companies in their communities.”

Governor Wolf’s Manufacturing PA initiative was launched in October 2017 and since then has funded 86 projects and invested more than $18 million through the MTTC programme.

Training-to-career grants support projects that result in short-term work-readiness, job placement, or the advancement of manufacturing. The Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant programme works collaboratively with local manufacturers to identify and teach missing essential skills for entry-level applicants seeking manufacturing employment, engage youth or those with barriers to career opportunities in manufacturing, and or advance capacity for local or regional manufacturers.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)