Career and Workforce Development WEDnetPA- ESU to Allocate $298,424 in Training Grants to Businesses

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Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on September 28, 2017, No Comments

East Stroudsburg University’s Office of Career and Workforce Development was awarded an initial $298,424 for fiscal year 2017-18 to support workforce training though the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA). In FY 2016-17, ESU managed and allocated over $369,000 to PA-based qualified businesses. 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 WEDnetPA funding include advanced manufacturing, information technology, life sciences, healthcare, 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.

Sharone Jones, ESU director of career and workforce development, noted, “WEDnetPA is responsive to the needs of Pennsylvania businesses and enhances their ability to train and develop employees on new and relevant processes and technologies. Ongoing training for new and existing employees strengthens the Commonwealth’s business environment to thrive in a global competitive market.”

East Stroudsburg University is a certified WEDnetPA partner authorized to apply for funding on a company’s behalf. To find out if your company is eligible, please visit the WEDnetPA website.

For additional information and to apply, contact Jones at 570-422-7952 or sjones@esu.edu.