(Harrisburg, December 14) – Flanked by legislators and various business and workforce supporters of Pennsylvania's Industry Partnership program, Governor Tom Corbett signed copies of Senate Bill 552, at the state Capitol yesterday. Senate Bill 552, sponsored by Senator Mike Brubaker from Lancaster County was recently unanimously passed by the General Assembly and officially became law on July 7, 2011. Brubaker's legislation put into statute a workforce development program that has made Pennsylvania a national leader in workforce development and job training.
Industry Partnerships bring together businesses and workers within an industry to identify and address common workforce needs. Industry Partnerships allow businesses with first-hand knowledge of the skills workers need to direct training efforts toward those skills that provide jobs and keep Pennsylvania business competitive, while enhancing curriculum development, industry-recognized credentials and career pathways.
"Although today's bill signing was ceremonial, it acknowledges the importance of this legislation and recognizes that Pennsylvania will stay competitive in the global marketplace if we continue to engage and support those programs that have proven successful," said Senator Brubaker. "I appreciate the Governor's support and recognition that Industry Partnerships need to be a permanent part of our workforce strategy," Brubaker stated.
With combined financial support from the Commonwealth and from the employer community, Industry Partnerships have engaged over 6,300 businesses in training over 100,000 workers since 2005. Workers who received training through Industry Partnerships received an average 6.62% increase in wages in the first year following training.
"We salute Senator Brubaker and the Governor for recognizing the importance of a Pennsylvania program that has become a national model of excellence in workforce development initiatives," stated Tony Ross, President of the United Way of Pennsylvania. "Industry Partnerships are a winning proposition for both employers and workers and help ensure workers will receive training for jobs that actually exist," said Ross.
For more information about Pennsylvania's Industry Partnership program, visit the state's website atwww.paworkforce.state.pa.us