Office of Workforce Development WEDnetPA, ESU to Allocate $233,454 to Businesses for Training Grants

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Posted by: admin on January 22, 2016, No Comments

East Stroudsburg University’s Office of Workforce Development was awarded $233,454 for fiscal year 2015-16 to support workforce training though the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA). Funding for WEDnetPA is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

The WEDnetPA Program provides qualified companies with funds to train their employees in Essential Skills up to $450 per eligible employee and in Advanced Technology Skills up to $850 per eligible employee. Companies may qualify for a total of $75,000 for Essential Skills Training and $50,000 for Advanced Technology Training. Popular industry sectors utilizing WENnetPA funding include advanced manufacturing, information technology, life sciences, healthcare, finance, and environmental companies.

WednetPA Eligibility Requirements:

  • Employers must be located in Pennsylvania or have a significant presence in the state.
  • Employees must earn at least 150% of current federal minimum wage, excluding benefits.
  • Trainees must be permanent full-time employees and eligible for full-time benefits.
  • Participation is limited to two years in a row and three out of the past five years.

Note: Point-of-sale retail businesses, gaming establishments, training vendors, employment agencies, government agencies, government-owned facilities, education and nonprofit entities are ineligible.

The WEDnetPA program was created to empower Pennsylvania companies by developing employee skills. Sharone Glasco, ESU director of workforce development, noted, “Ongoing training for new and existing employees increases the productivity of Pennsylvania’s workforce and strengthens the Commonwealth’s business environment and global competitive advantage.”

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is a certified WEDnetPA partner authorized to apply for funding on a company’s behalf. To find out if your company is eligible visit www.wednetpa.com.

For additional information and to apply, contact Sharone Glasco at 570-422-7952 or sglasco@esu.edu.