Penn College Has Seat at Roundtable on Value of Apprenticeships
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Three representatives of Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Pennsylvania College of Technology were on hand when the U.S. Department of Labor recently made available $100 million in grant funding for apprenticeships.
Tracy L. Brundage, vice president for workforce development; John F. Strittmatter, ShaleNET U.S. regional hub director; and David C. Pistner, director of energy initiatives, attended the Dec. 11 announcement in the Philadelphia School District by Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez.
The grants will expand registered apprenticeships in high-skilled, high-growth industries – including such key areas as health care, biotechnology, information technology and advanced manufacturing – through the American Apprenticeship Initiative.
“The energy industry, like so many others, is facing a daunting challenge: how to replace the technical skills being lost through retirement with new, well-trained hires,” Brundage said. “I am particularly encouraged by the innovative approach taken by the U.S. Department of Labor, educators and trade unions in looking to apprenticeships, a proven model to transfer technical skills from one generation of workers to another, as a means to address this modern-day challenge.”
After the formal program, she joined Perez, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter and other select guests from industry, government, organized labor and education in a roundtable discussion on the value of apprenticeships in meeting employers’ demands for technical skills in the 21st century.
The only attendee to address the skill needs of the energy industry, Brundage contributed to the discussion by providing a perspective on Penn College and its role in the ShaleNET consortium.
For information about the college, which is celebrating its Centennial throughout 2014, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
Tracy L. Brundage, vice president for workforce development; John F. Strittmatter, ShaleNET U.S. regional hub director; and David C. Pistner, director of energy initiatives, attended the Dec. 11 announcement in the Philadelphia School District by Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez.
The grants will expand registered apprenticeships in high-skilled, high-growth industries – including such key areas as health care, biotechnology, information technology and advanced manufacturing – through the American Apprenticeship Initiative.
“The energy industry, like so many others, is facing a daunting challenge: how to replace the technical skills being lost through retirement with new, well-trained hires,” Brundage said. “I am particularly encouraged by the innovative approach taken by the U.S. Department of Labor, educators and trade unions in looking to apprenticeships, a proven model to transfer technical skills from one generation of workers to another, as a means to address this modern-day challenge.”After the formal program, she joined Perez, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter and other select guests from industry, government, organized labor and education in a roundtable discussion on the value of apprenticeships in meeting employers’ demands for technical skills in the 21st century.
The only attendee to address the skill needs of the energy industry, Brundage contributed to the discussion by providing a perspective on Penn College and its role in the ShaleNET consortium.
For information about the college, which is celebrating its Centennial throughout 2014, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.