West Chester, Pa (March 9, 2026) – The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) was recently awarded state funding to support a job training program for students interested in careers in health care.
The funding, which comes through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s (L&I) Schools-to-Work grant program, supports 17 projects statewide that will not only prepare high school students for a career but also ensure they have a clear path to employment upon graduation.
At the CCIU, it will support programs that deliver health career pre-apprenticeship training with industry credentials to students.
“Programs like this help bolster our health care workforce, reinforce our pipeline of skilled workers, and ensure students graduate with the necessary credentials, and real-world experience they need to succeed in in-demand fields and careers,” said Comitta, who serves on the Senate Education Committee. “I want to thank everyone at the CCIU and our Technical College High School campuses for their work in supporting and expanding these important apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities.”
The CCIU program is part of 17 projects statewide that were awarded more than $4.1 million in total Schools-to-Work grant funding.
The Schools-to-Work program bridges classroom learning with real-world opportunity, aligning training with in-demand industries and workforce needs across the Commonwealth. It also strengthens partnerships among school districts, career and technical centers, employers, workforce boards, and training providers to help students graduate with a clear pathway into their chosen field, registered apprenticeship, or post-secondary education.
“Schools-to-Work is about making sure students don’t just graduate with a diploma, but with direction,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, we have made workforce development for young Pennsylvanians a priority because we know early exposure to real careers changes lives. These investments connect students to hands-on experience, industry credentials, and employers, while strengthening the pipeline Pennsylvania businesses depend on to grow.”
Across the Commonwealth, this round of Schools-to-Work projects aligns training with high-demand industries, including skilled trades, health care, manufacturing, information technology, and education.
In addition, Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget plan calls for doubling funding for the Schools-to-Work funding to $7 million
Over the past three years, Pennsylvania has registered 231 new pre-apprenticeships, enrolled nearly 18,000 new apprentices, and more than 39,000 Pennsylvanians have participated in apprenticeships, opening doors to stable, family-sustaining careers.
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