PFWS Calls for Industry Partnership Funding Press Release
PFWS: "Please fund Industry Partnerships"
(Harrisburg): In a letter to the governor and the legislature, the Pennsylvania Fund for Workforce Solutions, a collaborative of philanthropic funders from across the state who support workforce development initiatives that have a proven record of success like Industry Partnerships, has called upon state officials to provide necessary funding for Pennsylvania's nationally recognized Industry Partnership program.
The Industry Partnership program, which obtains its funding from both the Commonwealth and employers alike, has been a victim of severe budget cuts in the last several state budgets. Industry Partnerships are supported by both business and labor because the program identifies the skilled training needs that actually result in employment and helps keep businesses competitive. Over 6,300 employers have contributed over $75 million in matching funds to train more than 100,000 Pennsylvania workers.
"Based on extensive knowledge of employers and job opportunities in an industry sector, Industry Partnerships identify training and other services that have major positive impacts for business and workers - incumbent, low-income and long-term unemployed - thereby making the overall education and training system more effective," Tony Ross, President of the United Way of Pennsylvania, stated in his letter to the Governor Corbett.
State funding for the Industry Partnership program has declined since 2008-09 due to the economic recession and slow recovery - from $ 20 million for partnerships and associated training to $ 1.6 million in the 2010-11 state budget. In Ross's letter, he urged the Governor to restore the IP budget to its previous level of $ 7.6 million.
Senate Bill 552, sponsored by Senator Mike Brubaker from Lancaster County, was recently signed into law. That legislation, unanimously passed in the General Assembly, put Pennsylvania's Industry Partnership program into state staute. "Industry Partnerships have proven to be very successful across the industry spectrum in providing the kind of skilled training that leads to job creation and job retention at a very critical time for our businesses and workers," said Senator Brubaker.
"Pennsylvania is facing a critical shortage of skilled labor," explained Pennsylvania Business Council President & CEO David W. Patti. "Industry Partnerships are an ideal and cost-effective tool for training and re-training individuals who could be employed in these good-paying jobs."
For more information on Industry Partnerships, please visit the state website at www.paworkforce.state.pa.us or the PFWS website at www.workforcepa.com.