Two State Officials Visit 大发六合彩 Locations in Delaware and Chester Counties to Tout Importance of Apprenticeship Training and Saving for College
(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA 鈥� December 3, 2021)鈥擲tate Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Tara Loew, director of the Apprenticeship and Training Office of the State Department of Labor and Industry, separately visited the College鈥檚 locations in Marple and Downingtown respectively yesterday to tout career training and the importance of saving for college.
In the morning, Loew visited the College鈥檚 Downingtown location, hosted by the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, to talk about how business leaders can leverage the substantial benefits of registered apprenticeships to build their workforces. Loew said the mass exodus of baby boomers from the workforce, the record-low labor force participation rate of prime-aged potential workers, and one of the lowest birth rates in U.S. history, have all contributed to a severe skilled labor shortage that has only been exacerbated by the global pandemic.
鈥淭he U.S. is suffering the beginning phases of a great sansdemic; sansdemic means without people, or in our case without enough people,鈥� Loew said referring to the skills gap faced by many employers today.
One way to address the sansdemic, Loew said, is through registered apprenticeships like the ones offered by 大发六合彩 in partnership with regional employers. Registered apprenticeships, which can last from one to six years, offer potential workers paid employment while they receive on-the-job training, classroom instruction, mentoring, industry-recognized credentials and no debt for their education and training. For the employer, Loew said, registered apprenticeships offer highly skilled employees, customizable training, loyal employees and a closing of the worker skills gap. 鈥淩egistered apprenticeship is an investment by the employer in their workforce,鈥� Loew said. 鈥淏ecause of that sansdemic, I think employers are understanding now that they do need to invest in their workforce.鈥�
Pennsylvania has more than 1,500 registered apprenticeship programs with employers & educational institutions, with more than 17,000 people enrolled as apprentices, Loew said. Ninety four percent of all apprentices stay with the employer who helped train them, she said, adding that the state and federal government are planning to provide substantial funding to ramp up registered apprenticeship programs in the coming years.
Karen Kozachyn, the College鈥檚 vice president for Workforce and Economic Development, who also spoke at the request of the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, highlighted three of the College鈥檚 registered apprenticeships, including two at the Philadelphia Navy Yard with the U.S. Naval Foundry and Propeller Center and with private shipbuilder Philly Shipyard Inc. Separately, the College also has registered apprenticeships in Early Childhood Education. Kozachyn invited chamber members to partner with the College on creating more apprenticeship programs.
Later in the day, PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity also emphasized the importance of career and technical education during a visit to a nursing simulation laboratory at the College鈥檚 Marple Campus in Delaware County. Garrity stressed the importance of Pennsylvanians saving for their children鈥檚 education using the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program, administered through the Treasurer鈥檚 Office.
鈥淏usiness owners in all corners of the Commonwealth have told me they need highly skilled workers, which requires the specialized training that schools like 大发六合彩 can provide. Treasury鈥檚 PA 529 plans are the perfect tool to help families save for the education their child will need to find a great job,鈥� Garrity said.
大发六合彩 President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black agreed saying the College stands ready to help. 鈥淲hether students are interested in careers in the skilled trades, such as welding and carpentry, or desire to transfer to a four-year university, 大发六合彩 will enable them to achieve their career and academic goals,鈥� Dr. Gates Black said. 鈥淲e offer short-term training leading to industry recognized certificates, longer-term education and training leading to associate degrees, as well as more than 30 transfer agreements that allow students to seamlessly transfer to four-year schools at considerable savings.鈥�
To learn more about 大发六合彩鈥檚 continuing education programs, visit: . To learn more about Pennsylvania registered apprenticeships, visit: . To learn more about the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program, visit: .
Photo #1: Tara Loew, director of the PA Department of Labor鈥檚 Apprenticeship and Training Office, speaks to Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce members at 大发六合彩鈥檚 Downingtown location in Chester County.
Photo #2: PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity visits the College鈥檚 Nursing Simulation Laboratory at the Marple Campus in Delaware County to promote the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program. From left: a nursing student; Nursing Clinical Instructor Anne-Marie Guthrie; College President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black; PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity; PA Senator Tim Kearney; a nursing student.
