Philly Leader

Last month, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that $400,000 in funds from the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Training-to-Career (MTTC) program is going to Rhoads Industries to help build the workforce in the southeastern part of the state.

According to a release by Wolf on December 30, the funds are for identifying and training workers with the necessary skills to enter the manufacturing trade. This is a partnership with the U.S. Navy Shipbuilding Industrial Task Force and the Project Executive Office of the Columbia Class Submarine program to “address pipelines and critical trade skills” for the Navy’s labor force recruitment, retention and development.

“Rhoads Industries is thrilled to continue advancing and supporting the Navy’s mission of developing workforce growth in our Philadelphia facility,” said Trish Conti, Manager of Workforce Development, Rhoads Industries. “The extension of this program will greatly assist Rhoads and other critical suppliers in the region by accelerating significant trainings, establishing pipelines and creating a mechanism for ramping up the critical manufacturing infrastructure needed for Naval targeted growth”

The Manufacturing PA initiative has been around since October 2017, and since its launch it has invested more than $18.4 million and funded 87 projects.

These Training-to-Career grants help with short term work readiness and job placement within the industry. It is a collaborative effort with Pennsylvania manufacturers in an effort to identify and teach essential skills to entry level employees. It also works to help youth who have barriers to manufacturing career opportunities.

“It’s crucial that we make strong investments in programs like this one that bolster Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry and help ensure its strong and vibrant future,” said Wolf. “This program through Rhoads Industries will help grow the workforce in the area and maintain a strong pipeline of skilled manufacturers for many years to come.”