This bill creates the PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program to provide financial aid to Pennsylvania residents pursuing specific trade careers in fields like construction, automotive repair, and welding at colleges and universities. To qualify for a grant of up to $5,000 per year, students must maintain satisfactory grades and sign an agreement to live and work in an in-demand trade job within the state for 36 months after graduation. The legislation also establishes a trade career-incentive tax credit for businesses that hire graduates from these approved trade programs.
This bill creates a new Commission for Career and Technical Education Excellence to oversee and report on vocational training programs across Pennsylvania. The commission will consist of state officials and representatives from industry groups, tasked with setting guidelines for credit transfer between schools and assessing workforce needs. Additionally, the legislation establishes a grant program to provide equipment for building and construction trades pre-apprenticeship initiatives at community colleges. It also mandates that community colleges offer annual youth camps in construction and building trades to seventh and eighth-grade students to introduce them to these career paths.
This bill creates a new Commission for Career and Technical Education Excellence to oversee programs and report on industry trends, while also establishing a grant program to fund equipment for youth camps and pre-apprenticeship initiatives in community colleges. The new commission will be made up of state officials and representatives from various industry and education groups, who will meet to develop guidelines and submit annual reports to the Governor and legislature. Additionally, the legislation directs community colleges to partner with state agencies to offer annual construction and building trades camps for seventh and eighth-grade students, supported by specific grants for purchasing necessary equipment.
This bill allows the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education to temporarily waive a rule requiring career and technical education programs to end by the twelfth grade. Under the new provision, the secretary can approve programs that continue beyond high school graduation, though existing programs may still choose to end at grade 12. The authority to grant these waivers will last for three years or until final regulations are issued, whichever happens first. This change directly affects vocational and technical education programs within the state's public school system.
This bill creates a grant program to help Pennsylvania school districts and career and technical schools update their educational materials. Eligible schools can apply for funding to buy digital platforms or printed curricula that include lesson plans, multimedia content, and tools for tracking student progress. The amount each school receives is calculated based on its student enrollment and the total state funding available for the program. To qualify, schools must receive a recommendation from their local occupational advisory committee and certify that the funds will be used for approved curriculum modernization.
This bill directs Pennsylvania's Department of Education to create a statewide curriculum for shipbuilding and maritime trades to support the state's growing maritime industry. The program will include hands-on training in skills like welding and pipe fitting, align with existing apprenticeships, and offer college credits to help students transition into these careers. To fund the initiative, the bill establishes a competitive grant program for schools to purchase equipment, train teachers, and launch new courses. Additionally, the Department of Education must work with labor groups and employers to ensure the training meets industry needs and submit annual reports on student participation and grant usage.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to allow the Secretary of Education to temporarily waive a requirement that career and technical education programs must end by twelfth grade. The change directly affects students in vocational and technical education programs and gives the state education secretary the authority to approve programs that extend beyond high school graduation. The waiver is limited to three years or until final regulations are issued, whichever happens first, and does not prevent existing programs from ending in twelfth grade. Students already enrolled in these programs before the waiver expires will not be affected by the change.
This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to update definitions for the Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program. It clarifies what counts as an "approved course of study" and "in-demand occupation" for scholarship recipients. The updated definitions include specific fields such as agriculture, computer science, nursing, and trades, while also requiring that occupations provide family-sustaining wages and high skill levels. These changes affect students using the scholarship program and the institutions offering eligible courses. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
This bill creates the PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program and a trade career-incentive tax credit for Pennsylvania residents pursuing specific skilled trade careers in higher education. The scholarship provides up to $5,000 per academic year to students enrolled in approved courses such as carpentry, welding, plumbing, or electrical work, provided they maintain satisfactory academic progress and have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. Recipients must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania for 36 months in an in-demand occupation after completing their degree, with the scholarship amount prorated based on years of service and requiring repayment if they fail to meet these requirements. Additionally, the bill establishes a tax credit for business firms that hire graduates from these trade programs, though specific credit amounts and eligibility details are not fully detailed in the provided text.
This bill creates the CareerBound Program to connect Pennsylvania students with high-priority job opportunities through school-to-work partnerships. It establishes a formal framework where schools, local workforce boards, and businesses collaborate to provide career exploration, relevant curriculum, and workplace exposure for students. The legislation also creates a tax credit program to encourage businesses to participate in these partnerships by offering financial incentives for hiring students in high-demand occupations. State agencies including the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development will administer the program and oversee its implementation.
