Two workforce development boards in the 32nd Senatorial District have been awarded state grants totaling $326,534 to provide summer internships in high-demand fields to area students, according to Senator Pat Stefano (R-32).
Stefano said the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board, which covers Somerset County, received $191,674 and the Westmoreland/Fayette Workforce Development Board received $134,860 through the State/Local Internship Program (SLIP).
“The SLIP Program assists young people in obtaining internships that provide them with the hands-on skills to obtain jobs in high-demand careers after graduation,” Stefano said. “It’s a great investment in our future and helps to promote economic development by creating a larger pool of skilled workers.
The program, funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), helps young adults develop workforce preparation skills by providing participants with their first work experience. The 2020 SLIP will operate between May 1 and August 28 and offer wages at a minimum of $10.35 an hour for young adults between ages 16 and 24.
“I’m pleased that our area will benefit from this funding and that students will have a great opportunity to gain real-work experience,” Stefano said. “Area businesses will also benefit so it is a win-win for our local economy.”