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Get the most interesting and important stories from the University of Pittsburgh.New state funding for the Education and Training Center at Pitt-Titusville will support machining and CNC training
As the manufacturing workforce in northwest Pennsylvania ages, there’s a growing need for trained machinists. A new $199,000 state grant to the Education and Training Center (ETC) at Pitt-Titusville aims to address the issue by supporting pre-apprenticeship programs in basic machining and CNC operations for residents in the region.
The two-year grant is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Manufacturing Training to Career Grant program.
“This grant will allow us to expand the training possibilities to help build tomorrow’s workforce,” said Stephanie Fiely, executive director of ETC at Pitt-Titusville. “We are excited to work with both the Titusville Area School District and PENNCREST School District as well as industry partners to ensure we are meeting the needs of the region.”
The Manufacturing Assistance Center at ETC at Pitt-Titusville plans to offer its state-approved, 188-hour pre-apprenticeship program to both high school students and nontraditional learners looking to upskill for the regional workforce.
The program, which will begin January 2025 and extend to December 2026, will offer both full-time and part-time options during the day and evening. Students will then have access to apprenticeship programs through regional manufacturers.