CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Franklin County Career and Technology Center will receive $500,000 to develop a new heavy equipment operation and maintenance program through a state grant initiative supporting training for highway industry careers.
The award is part of nearly $12 million going to 27 educational institutions in 21 Pennsylvania counties in the first round of the PennDOT Career and Technical Education grant program, according to an announcement from the Pennsylvania departments of Transportation and Education.
The competitive grant program supports career pathway education, technical training, industry certification and on-the-job learning for middle school, high school and college students. Schools can use the funding to create or expand programs related to highway industry jobs.
For Franklin County Career and Technology Center, the funding will support the development of its Heavy Equipment Operator & Maintenance program.
“These grants will help schools start or expand programs to expose students to the trades that will continue building Pennsylvania,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “We’re proud to support the important work that Pennsylvania’s educational institutions do every day to prepare the next generation for whatever career path they choose.”
The statewide initiative supports training for occupations such as construction inspectors, mechanics, laborers, electricians, stonemasons, welders, painters, cost estimators and surveyors.
“Career and technical education programs are preparing learners to fill critical workforce gaps in Pennsylvania,” Education Secretary Carrie Rowe said. “These investments will help to uplift schools across the Commonwealth, in turn helping students prepare for in-demand jobs in Pennsylvania’s highway industry.”
The grant program was developed following Gov. Josh Shapiro’s July 2023 executive order establishing the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program. That initiative supports workforce training for employers and organizations working on Pennsylvania infrastructure projects.
