Pittsburgh Review

Gov. Tom Wolf recognizes that there is a need for training the future electricians of the southwestern part of Pennsylvania, and on December 16 he announced that $200,000 will be awarded to the River Valley School District in Indiana County as part of the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career program.

“High school students benefit from career skills training, preparing them to enter the workforce in high-demand occupations or to continue their education in a chosen field,” said Philip Martell, Superintendent of Schools at the River Valley School District. “The River Valley STEAM Academy provides students with educational opportunities that are relevant to them and gives them real-world skills and experience. The Training-to-Career grant will help River Valley School District further its mission to prepare students for their futures by bridging the gap between industry and education.”

The funds will help prepare the participating students striving to be electricians in the residential, commercial, industrial and lineman occupations through the Training-to-Career Program. There are 1,500 students in the River Valley School District, making it the second largest in the county.

The program involves local manufacturers working with the students with hands-on training and classroom learning. This will be available for high school students, grades nine through 12, for classroom, lab and apprenticeship training. It was made possible through the Manufacturing PA Initiative that was launched in October 2017. There has been more than $18 million invested in 86 projects since Manufacturing PA began.

“It is absolutely crucial that we prepare students for good paying, in-demand careers,” said Wolf. “The funding awarded today will introduce students to the different paths they can follow as an electrician and will prepare them to be successful members of the future workforce.”