Philly Leader

Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) program has been an important part of finding necessary work to help the local manufacturing businesses, and last week Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA) announced $130,000 in new funding for the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) to support the industry in southeastern Pennsylvania through an ambassador program.

According to a release on May 14 by Wolf, the program is called the “Dream Team,” which will recruit young manufacturing professionals to speak with students, teachers and administrators about the manufacturing industry. The professionals will be ambassadors and will go to schools in the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia.

“This is an exciting and innovative program that I’m proud to support,” said Gov. Wolf. “Funding will be used to introduce students to the industry and encourage them to consider manufacturing-related careers after high school or as part of their post-secondary education. Ultimately, the goal is to build and improve the talent pool for southeastern Pennsylvania manufacturing companies, which is a true win-win for everyone.”

The following companies will be involved in the ambassador program:

Bucks County: Ameriscend in Warminster; Bracalente Manufacturing Group in Trumbauersville; and NewAge Industries in Southampton

Chester County: DSM Biomedical in Exton; Lavazza in West Chester; United Safety and Survivability Corporation in Exton

Delaware County: New Way Air Bearings in Aston; Nielsen-Kellerman Company in Boothwyn; South in Concordville

Montgomery County: First Quality of King of Prussia; Globus Medical of Audubon; Green Tweed of Kulpsville; and Fredericks Company of Huntingdon Valley

Philadelphia County: Leonardo Helicopters US; Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages; Rhoads Industries

At least 15 young business leaders will be recruited to be ambassadors in the program. They will be trained about program goals and how to present about their jobs. They will make at least one presentation at no less than 15 high schools.

“This award is outstanding news for our region’s manufacturers and will enable us to pilot the Dream Team program in Southeastern Pennsylvania – an important career awareness initiative that brings young professionals into high schools to tell students and teachers about their careers in modern manufacturing,” said Barry Miller, President and CEO of DVIRC. “Dream Team is one piece of a larger effort to raise awareness about the great job opportunities in manufacturing and we’re grateful to the Wolf Administration for their confidence in and support of this program.”

The Manufacturing Training-to-Career program helps with short-term work readiness, job placement and advancing in the industry. The grant program works with local businesses and industry professionals to find people with the right skills for entry level work, as well as promote the industry to youth with barriers to enter the manufacturing industry.

The Manufacturing PA Initiative was launched by Gov. Wolf in 2017 and has funded 72 projects through more than $15.9 million in investments.