Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has made apprenticeships a priority during his time in office | PA Governor
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has made apprenticeships a priority during his time in office | PA Governor
Gov. Tom Wolf has made apprenticeships a priority during his time in office, and recently he toured the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 163 training facility on Sept. 15 to thank union leaders for their work to help the future of the industry’s workforce.
According to a release, Wolf called the facility “state-of-the-art.” The PA Smart Initiative awarded Local 163 with $446,247 in June. The initiative focuses on increasing apprenticeships in these industries and also helps women, people of color, and other underserved populations.
“While apprenticeships have a strong track record of success in advancing the careers of workers, they have traditionally lagged behind in serving underrepresented populations and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion,” Wolf said. “On average, apprentices earn a starting wage of $70,000 per year after graduation, putting them on track to earn $300,000 more over their careers compared to workers who don’t graduate from an apprenticeship program. I truly believe Pennsylvanians are the hardest workers around, and they deserve fair, equitable access to high-quality jobs, family-sustaining wages and the support that will allow them to thrive in their career.”
The new funding allows for 96 people to go through a five-year apprenticeship with IBEW Local 163. The release added that 40 of the apprentices will be from underserved populations in Bradford, Luzerne, Sullivan and Wyoming Counties.
The IBEW Local 163 teaches apprentices the trade while earning a paycheck through the “earn-while-you-learn” program. They receive health insurance and retirement benefits as well. The apprentices not only have hands-on learning while on the job, but they also take several mandatory classes at the training facility Wolf toured. These classes are taught by accredited professionals and journeymen with years of experience in the field.
Local 163 training director John Nadolny said he is thankful for the partnership with the PAsmart registered apprenticeship program.
“With the help of Gov. Wolf and the Apprenticeship & Training Office, it is now possible to expand our program by reaching out to underserved populations, minorities, women and veterans,” Nadolny said in the release. "This outreach will provide excellent opportunities for new apprentices to earn while they learn. After completion of the apprenticeship, graduates will have marketable skills as electricians in this high-demand field, earn family-sustaining wages and receive college credit. We are thankful for this opportunity to help those interested in learning a skilled trade.”
More than $35 million in registered apprenticeship programs through the Apprenticeship and Training Office has been invested by the Wolf administration since 2018. In 2022, $7.5 million in funding was set aside for apprenticeship training, which was an increase of $500,000 from 2021.
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