HARRISBURG, Pa. - Last year, the state lost more than 450,000 jobs, and 2 million Pennsylvanians applied for unemployment. New funding will support those who have seen their career training sidelined by the pandemic through Gov. Tom Wolf’s new “Near Completers” program.
The state is putting up $7 million to help job seekers complete a college degree or job training certification.
Sheila Ireland, deputy secretary of Workforce Development at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, says more than a million Pennsylvanians have started college careers, but haven’t completed a degree.
“L&I’s new program will help Pennsylvanians build on the credits they've already earned toward a degree, or certificate they need, to get in-demand jobs,” Ireland says.
The funding targets job seekers who made less than $15 an hour before losing work due the pandemic.
The funds will be spread evenly between urban, suburban and rural communities.
This program is part of Gov. Wolf’s “Back to Work PA” plan. Funds will be delivered to workforce development groups in the fall, and the state hopes the funding will support at least 300 people.
