Rep. Gergely's Industry Partnership News Release

House unanimously passes Gergely's job training bill

HARRISBURG, March 24  – The state House today unanimously passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Marc Gergely, vice chairman of the House Labor Relations Committee, which would ensure a successful job-training program continues to help thousands of Pennsylvania workers to get the job skills necessary to compete in the global economy.

Gergely's bill (H.B. 2230) would formally establish the Industry Partnerships program in the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The program started as an initiative through the governor's Job Ready strategy in 2005.

"The Industry Partnership program has proven to be a cost-effective and extremely beneficial tool for both employees and the business community," Gergely said. "This legislation would formally establish the program in law to ensure that Pennsylvania remains a national leader in work-force development. By bringing together business and industry with labor leaders, state agencies and local workforce investment boards, and economic development experts, we are strategically targeting job-training programs that help Pennsylvanians get the skills needed for today's global market."

Since the initiative started, more than 6,300 businesses have been involved in almost 80 Industry Partnerships. These partnerships have helped more than 70,000 workers get trained.

"What makes the Industry Partnerships program work so well is the teamwork," Gergely said. "By bringing businesses together to identify common work-force needs, then providing that specialized training, we are building a stronger, more skilled work force."

According to the state Department of Labor and Industry, workers trained through Industry Partnerships saw their income rise an average of more than 6 percent in the first year.

"To put that in perspective, a worker earning a $35,000 salary had their income increase on average $2,300 within a year," Gergely said. "With unemployment still high, Industry Partnerships offer a unique opportunity to enroll workers in job-training programs that upgrade their skills and ensure businesses do not need to leave the state or country to find the work force with the necessary job skills."

Gergely said that 84 percent of businesses involved in an Industry Partnership report an increase in productivity. The private sector has contributed more than $9 million in funds and $30 million for in-kind contributions since the initiative started. Gergely's bill also would create a grant program for many uses, such as identifying job training needs and developing training programs. The private sector must provide 25 percent matching funds to receive a grant.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 197-0. It now moves to the state Senate for consideration.