Preparing PA’s Youth for Careers in Manufacturing

The Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Program helps manufacturers identify and train a skilled workforce for current and future in-demand positions. It also addresses workforce barriers, engages youth, and showcases the opportunities in manufacturing. Grants up to $200,000 can be used for new training programs, internships, equipment purchases, and more. It’s a great way for schools, community colleges, and nonprofits to truly strengthen the workforce in their region.

In western Pennsylvania, The Challenge Program, Inc. motivates high school students to pursue manufacturing careers and connects them with manufacturers in their area. In 2020, The Challenge Program, Inc. received a $143,000 grant from the Training-to-Career Grant Program. We spoke with Barbara Grandinetti, President at The Challenge Program, Inc. to discuss how her organization is helping workers and businesses – and how the Training-to-Career Grant is helping them accomplish that mission.

Career Pathways in Manufacturing

In Pennsylvania and across the country, educating students about careers in manufacturing is top of mind for businesses, nonprofits, and economic development groups. Nearly one-quarter of the nationwide manufacturing sector workforce is age 55 or older, and when combined with current labor challenges, manufacturers are seeking new ways to inspire students to learn about the benefits of manufacturing careers.

That’s the primary mission of The Challenge Program, Inc. Founded in 2003 by Dan Perkins, a self-made entrepreneur from Johnstown, PA, the organization motivates students by challenging 10th-12th graders to excel in areas of attendance, community service, academic improvement, academic excellence, and STEM. Its model of reaching students is based on connecting students to business sponsors in the local community. Businesses then come to the high schools to educate students about local manufacturers, opportunities in the industry, specific job positions in manufacturing, and the potential career pathways. The Challenge Program, Inc. calls these sponsors “business partners,” emphasizing the important role that partnerships play in building the workforce.

Manufacturing is a major focus of the program. The sector represents about one-quarter of the program’s 90+ business partners, and those manufacturing partners alone reach around 11,000 students in 34 schools. In 2020, The Challenge Program, Inc. received a $143,000 grant from DCED to expand their PA Manufacturing Awareness Program. The grant enabled the organization to increase engagement at schools that are participating in the program as well as expand into new high schools.

“As a result of this grant from DCED, we are making sure business partners get up to three workforce connections with students,” said Barbara Grandinetti, President at The Challenge Program, Inc. “Whether that’s an industry tour, a lunch and learn, a classroom presentation, or a Zoom takeover, the business partners are educating students about careers within their organization.”

The Training-to-Career grant has been invaluable for the program. “We are so grateful for this grant,” said Grandinetti. “It has not only helped us strengthen relationships, but it has introduced students to things they weren’t aware of. It’s also validated us as a best practice for other companies and organizations in combatting the labor shortage by successfully connecting students to businesses.”

Making Local Industry Connections

One of those participating businesses is Martin Baker America, a manufacturer of aircraft ejection seats located in Johnstown, PA. Martin Baker’s management team worked with schools to identify the various barriers to employment for young workers in the Johnstown area such as transportation, food access, attire, and more. Their solution was to create an apprenticeship program for Greater Johnstown School District students that provides them with not just a workforce opportunity in manufacturing, but also provides transportation, meals, uniforms, and an employee mentor. The result is a program that trains the local Johnstown workforce and, crucially, helps build the Johnstown community by retaining talent in the area. Because Martin Baker participates in the program, The Challenge Program, Inc. was able to share their success story with other participating manufacturers in the program as well so the model can be replicated.

But one of the most rewarding aspects of the program for Barbara is seeing the effect it has on students. “We really are a program for students, and we try to have company representatives who students can relate to – someone who graduated from that same school, someone closer to the students’ age, or someone who had a great success story,” Grandinetti said. And that intentional effort pays dividends in how students respond. “They’ll say something like ‘sitting in that school assembly, there was something a business partner said that just resonated with me. I started showing up every day and my grades started to improve.’ Just hearing those little stories of transformation from the students is the most amazing thing,” Grandinetti said.

One student who was paired with Corle Building Systems noted that the program “made an unforgettable impact on me academically and personally,” emphasizing the program’s “life-changing opportunities.” Another student praised the program for “not only push[ing] students to be the best versions of themselves, but it also rewards them for their hard work and dedication.”

Clearly, the program is resonating with its target student audience – and that bodes well for the future of the manufacturing workforce in Pennsylvania. By engaging students and connecting them with PA manufacturers, The Challenge Program, Inc. is helping strengthen our workforce and economy, enabling business growth, and empowering workers.

Made in PA Proud

DCED shares those same goals through the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant that has been so essential for The Challenge Program, Inc. Training-to-Career grants of up to $200,000 support projects that result in short-term work-readiness training, entry-level job placement, or the advancement of the manufacturing industry.

Though today’s economic climate presents challenges for businesses, Pennsylvania manufacturers have always been resilient. DCED offers several resources to help our manufacturing sector, and we’re committed to supporting manufacturers and strengthening our workforce. But clearly, DCED is not doing it alone. Through the tireless work of dedicated organizations like The Challenge Program, Inc., the program’s business partners, and the students they inspire, the future of manufacturing in Pennsylvania is looking bright.

To learn more about what Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry can offer you and your company, visit the DCED website. If you are interested in applying for the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant program, visit our program webpage. Stay up-to-date on DCED news by following us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook channels.