Matzie: Nearly $300,000 awarded to boost regional masonry trade opportunities

AMBRIDGE, Sept. 6 – Beaver County workers will benefit from new training and job opportunities in the masonry trades, thanks to nearly $300,000 in new state funding to bolster a successful apprenticeship program serving the region, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

Matzie, D-Beaver, said the funding will help the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 9 continue its Western Pennsylvania Bricklayers Masonry Training Program, which teaches bricklaying, tile setting, terrazzo work and stone masonry.

“Our region’s need for skilled workers in the masonry trade is only growing,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding will help meet that demand by supporting a program that helps apprentices train under the supervision of journeymen, get extensive, real-world experience in a four-year course, and step into good, family-sustaining jobs.

“It builds our workforce and helps create pathways to jobs, which is an all-around win.”

The funding is administered through the Department of Community and Economic Development under the Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program. More about the funding is available here: https://dced.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-announces-new-funding-awarded-to-train-masonry-trades-apprentices-in-29-pennsylvania-counties-for-in-demand-jobs/.