Burns: $77k state grant will prepare students for local STEM jobs

Investment is in workforce development program to grow regional economy

EBENSBURG, Jan. 16 – A $77,000 state grant to encourage students in grades 6 through 12 to pursue STEM or technology careers and to connect educators with regional employers was awarded Thursday, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, announced.

The grant funding, which will help to identify and target skill gaps in the local work force and train youth for new technology and employment opportunities, is critical to growing and attracting businesses in Cambria County, Burns noted.

“Our businesses know what they need to succeed, and what skills they are looking for in future employees,” Burns said. “So, it only makes sense to make sure they are sharing that information with the educators who are preparing the next generation of Cambria County workers. We’re competing to attract new industries to our region – and having a trained and ready work force is a big part of that."

In addition to funding for education programs like this one, Burns also successfully worked to bring a first-of-its-kind Keystone Opportunity Zone to Cambria County; and has lobbied Amazon – reaching out to CEO Jeff Bezos personally – and other high profile businesses and industries to consider Cambria County as an expansion location.

The grant announced today was awarded to the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board part of $2.4 million for Business-Education Partnership grants awarded to 19 development boards. The partnerships will connect schools, employers and students to provide career-related experiences and opportunities through soft-skills development, internships, workplace shadowing, and career mentoring, all with the goal of preparing students for good local jobs.