Pennsylvania State Budget Includes Industry Partnerships
Pennsylvania State Budget Includes Industry Partnerships
Read a Central Penn Business Journal article on Workforce Development funding
With passage of HB 1416 (PN 2772), the Commonwealth’s long and arduous budget impasse has ended. Unfortunately, the financial difficulties the state still faces made it impossible to fund all the worthy programs receiving state support. Many programs received a cut in funding while others were eliminated altogether.
The budget line items supporting Industry Partnerships and Training Activities within the Department of Labor & Industry were eliminated from the first budget bill sent to the governor (SB 850). Were it not for the intense advocacy and show of support from hundreds of individuals, businesses, labor union members, educational organizations and institutions, and numerous community organizations, this important funding would not have been included in HB 1416.
This strong advocacy effort resulted in restoring $2 million for Industry Partnerships; $7.2 million for Training Activities; and $1 million for the Nurse Shortage Initiative. Although these amounts are well below necessary funding levels, they underscore the acknowledgement of the importance of these programs.
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2009-2010 Budget for Selected Workforce Programs (10.09.09) |
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|
(in thousands) |
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|
Workforce Program |
Governor’s Request |
S.B. 850 |
Bridge Budget |
Final Budget |
|
Customized Job Training (DCED) |
18,000 |
9,000 |
0 |
9,000 |
|
Workforce Leadership Grants (DCED) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dual Enrollment (PDE) |
10,000 |
0 |
0 |
8,000 |
|
Adult and Family Literacy (PDE) |
21,500 |
16,875 |
0 |
17,687 |
|
Technical Colleges (PDE) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Community Colleges (PDE) |
215,775 |
236,240 |
0 |
235,741 |
|
High School Reform (PDE) |
9,234 |
2,500 |
0 |
3,700 |
|
Career and Technical Education (PDE) |
63,314 |
57,601 |
0 |
62,000 |
|
Pennsylvania Conservation Corps (L&I) |
6,371 |
5,760 |
0 |
5,194 |
|
Training Activities (L&I) |
11,754 |
0 |
0 |
7,200 |
|
Industry Partnerships (L&I) |
3,613 |
0 |
0 |
2,000 |
|
Nursing Shortage Initiative (PHEAA) |
2,418 |
1,863 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
DCED-PA Department of Community & Economic Affairs PDE-PA Department of Education L&I--PA Department of Labor & Industry PHEAA--PA Higher Education Assistance Agency |
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Industry Partnerships support both businesses and workers. The 6,300 businesses and 70,000 workers that have benefited from Industry Partnerships (IP) are a testament to the value and importance of IP training to Pennsylvania’s economy and its future. Because IPs deliver a high return on investment, funding their activities is smart business for the Commonwealth.
It is disheartening that programs so vital to Pennsylvania’s future and its ability to compete in a global economy become victims of annual cuts and accompanying political struggles. Competition for General Fund tax dollars is becoming increasingly intense.
This is exactly why supporting a program that establishes a dedicated funding source for Industry Partnerships and other workforce training programs makes good sense. If Pennsylvania is to remain a national leader in workforce development, funding must be guaranteed. Legislation establishing dedicated funding for workforce development needs your support. Please continue your advocacy efforts and join the coalition to support workforce development funding.