--- title: "Senate Hearing Overview: Workforce Development and Job Training Programs" description: Overview of a Senate hearing focused on workforce development, highlighting key programs, budget requests, and cross-agency collaboration to enhance job training and economic growth. image: https://support.thedtfirm.com/hubfs/L%26I.jpg --- ![](https://support.thedtfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/L%26I.jpg?width=304&height=165&name=L%26I.jpg) Committee Hearings L&I # Senate Hearing Overview: Workforce Development and Job Training Programs ![The DT Firm](https://support.thedtfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/website/image/dt-favicon.png?width=48&height=48&name=dt-favicon.png) The DT Firm March 5, 2026 ## Overview of the Hearing - The committee held a hearing focused on **workforce development, job training programs, and related budget requests** across several state agencies. - Discussion centered on **program funding, definitions, cross-agency collaboration, and workforce outcomes**, particularly as they relate to major initiatives such as **Grow PA, WEDnetPA, Career Connect, Tech Central, and apprenticeship programs**. - **No legislation was introduced and no votes were taken** during the hearing. The session primarily served as a policy and budget oversight discussion. ---   ## Workforce Development Programs and Budget Requests ### Core Workforce Program Funding #### WEDnetPA (Employer-Based Training) - Proposed funding increase to **$12.5 million**. - Officials recommended creating a **dedicated line item** to improve transparency and performance tracking. - Program supports **employer-driven workforce training initiatives**. #### Career Connect (New Initiative) - Proposed funding: approximately **$2 million**. - Designed to build **public-private partnerships** between employers, universities, and workforce providers. - Goal: **retain skilled workers in Pennsylvania** and strengthen connections between education and employment. #### Manufacturing Training to Career - Proposed funding: approximately **$4.7 million**. - Focuses on **introducing middle and high school students to manufacturing careers**. - Includes both **career awareness and technical training components**. #### PA First - State’s primary **job creation incentive program**. - Workforce training expenses can be funded through PA First, including: - Training equipment - On-the-job training - Workforce development partnerships with employers. --- ## Education and Workforce Pipeline Programs ### Schools to Work and Related Initiatives Officials highlighted several education-to-workforce pipeline programs: - **Schools to Work Program** - **Dual enrollment initiatives** - **Industry-recognized credential pathways** - **Apprenticeship-aligned training opportunities** These programs aim to connect **students with career pathways earlier**, particularly in high-demand industries. --- ## Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) ### Budget Request and Program Focus - OVR requested an **additional $1 million in funding**. - Funding would support **vocational rehabilitation services** that help individuals with disabilities prepare for and maintain employment. - Testimony emphasized the importance of **flexible funding mechanisms**, including support for apprenticeships involving individuals with disabilities. --- ## Workforce Success Metrics Officials outlined how success is measured across workforce programs. #### Key Performance Indicators - **Job retention and persistence** - Tracking employment outcomes at **1 year and 3 years** following training. - **Employer outcomes** - Growth and expansion of participating companies. - Regional labor force participation rates. - **Credential attainment** - Alignment between training credentials and available job opportunities. - **Job placement and stability** - Ensuring training programs lead to **long-term employment rather than short-term job placement.** #### Apprenticeship Model - Apprenticeships were highlighted as a **high-value workforce tool**, since workers: - Earn wages during training - Gain industry-recognized credentials - Transition into stable employment. --- ## Grow PA and Cross-Agency Workforce Strategy ### Overview of Grow PA - Grow PA is a **strategic initiative aimed at retaining talent within Pennsylvania** by aligning workforce development with high-demand industries. ### Key Elements - Collaboration between: - Department of Labor & Industry - Department of Community and Economic Development - Pennsylvania Department of Education - State Board of Higher Education - Efforts to align **education pipelines with employer demand**. --- ## Case Study: Eli Lilly Investment in Pennsylvania Officials cited the **Eli Lilly project in the Lehigh Valley** as a major example of coordinated workforce development. ### Project Overview - Lilly committed **$3.5 billion investment** to build a new facility. - Expected to create **850 jobs**. ### Workforce Training Partnership The project required extensive coordination among: - State agencies - Community colleges - Private sector partners. Training partners included: - **Montgomery County Community College** - Regional institutions in the Lehigh Valley - A partner institution in North Carolina. ### State Support - Pennsylvania provided a **$5 million capital grant** to support workforce training infrastructure and site readiness. Officials described this project as a **model for future large-scale economic development projects.** --- ## Tech Central / Tech Centro Workforce Network ### Program Overview - Tech Centro began in **Lancaster County** and has expanded to **eight counties**, including a new presence in Philadelphia. - The program focuses on **multilingual workforce training** and addressing language barriers to employment. ### Program Goals - Help workers enter **family-sustaining jobs**. - Provide **community-based workforce development services**. - Expand workforce opportunities for immigrant and multilingual populations. Officials noted **strong bipartisan support** for expanding the model. --- ## Apprenticeship Programs: Roles of State Agencies The hearing clarified the **distinct roles of the Department of Labor & Industry and DCED in apprenticeship development.** ### Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Responsible for: - Registering apprenticeship programs - Supporting program sponsors - Monitoring program outcomes - Administering apprenticeship grants - Using workforce data to guide program investment. L&I also operates the **Center for Workforce Information and Analysis**, which identifies workforce demand in sectors such as healthcare and agriculture. ### Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Responsible for: - Funding apprenticeship-related initiatives through grants - Supporting pre-apprenticeship and workforce training programs - Aligning workforce investments with regional economic development strategies. ### Example A regional **welding apprenticeship program** could receive: - Equipment funding from DCED - Registration and oversight through L&I. --- ## Artificial Intelligence and Future Workforce Planning Officials addressed how **AI and technological change may impact the workforce.** ### Key Points - Agencies are studying **emerging labor market trends** with the Department of Education and workforce partners. - AI is expected to **augment government services and workforce programs**, not eliminate jobs. - The state aims to replicate the **public-private collaboration model used in the Lilly project** to adapt to emerging industries such as life sciences and advanced manufacturing. --- ## OVR Waitlist and Federal Funding Challenges ### Federal Funding Constraints Officials reported that **federal vocational rehabilitation funding remained flat in 2024**, resulting in: - A loss of approximately **$12.5 million in program funding** - Hiring freezes and office consolidations. ### Current Waitlist Status As of the hearing: - **0 individuals** waiting in the most significantly disabled category - **1,319 individuals** waiting in the “significantly disabled” category - **163 individuals** waiting in the general disability category Total waitlist: **1,404 individuals**. ### Proposed State Funding The Governor’s proposed budget includes **$500,000 in state funding** for services not covered by federal VR funding, including: - Services for **deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals** - Services for **blind and visually impaired individuals**, including braille instruction and white cane training. --- ## Questions from Committee Members ### Senator Robinson Focused on: - Targeting of apprenticeship investments - Long-term employment outcomes - Readiness of trainees to fill open positions. ### Senator Kaine Asked about: - Implementation of **Grow PA** - Coordination with higher education institutions - Workforce programs such as **Tech Central** - Development of a **teacher registered apprenticeship program**. ### Senator Brown Raised questions about **long-term workforce planning**, including how Pennsylvania is preparing for labor market changes over the next **20 years**. ### Senator Williams and Senator Culver Focused on: - Regional workforce impacts - Role of community colleges in workforce development - Ensuring workforce programs benefit **underemployed populations**. They also called for **more detailed data on program outcomes by region and demographic group.** --- ## Key Takeaways - Workforce development programs remain a **central component of the Governor’s economic strategy**. - Agencies emphasized the importance of **cross-agency collaboration**, particularly between L&I, DCED, and the Department of Education. - Large-scale investments such as the **Eli Lilly project** demonstrate how workforce training can support economic development. - Programs like **Career Connect and Grow PA** aim to retain talent and align training with industry demand. - Federal funding limitations for vocational rehabilitation programs are creating **service capacity challenges**, prompting requests for additional state support. - Policymakers stressed the need for **better workforce data, regional analysis, and equity in program delivery.** ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.thedtfirm.com%2Fnews-and-politics%2Fsenate-hearing-overview-workforce-development-and-job-training-programs](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.thedtfirm.com%2Fnews-and-politics%2Fsenate-hearing-overview-workforce-development-and-job-training-programs) ## Keep reading [![](https://support.thedtfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Harrisburg%20Arts%20District%20Street%20Scene%20at%20Sunny%20Day.png?width=1536&height=1024&name=Harrisburg%20Arts%20District%20Street%20Scene%20at%20Sunny%20Day.png) ### Client Spotlight: Visit Hershey & Harrisburg’s Arts District ](https://support.thedtfirm.com/news-and-politics/client-spotlight-visit-hershey-harrisburgs-arts-district) [![](https://support.thedtfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cap%20Front.jpg?width=1024&height=684&name=Cap%20Front.jpg) Legislative Updates News & Updates Budget Related ### Key Takeaways from PA State Budget Hearings ](https://support.thedtfirm.com/news-and-politics/key-takeaways-from-pa-state-budget-hearings) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "The DT Firm", "url" : "https://support.thedtfirm.com/news-and-politics/author/the-dt-firm" }, "dateModified" : "2026-03-05T15:05:52.302Z", "datePublished" : "2026-03-05T15:05:37.000Z", "headline" : "Senate Hearing Overview: Workforce Development and Job Training Programs", "image" : [ "https://support.thedtfirm.com/hubfs/L&I.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://support.thedtfirm.com/news-and-politics/senate-hearing-overview-workforce-development-and-job-training-programs", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://support.thedtfirm.com/hubfs/website/image/logo-DT-firm.png" }, "name" : "The DT Firm" } } ```