Governor talks up skilled trade grants at Junior Achievement headquarters
Brad Hundt
SOUTH FAYETTE-In the three years since he became Pennsylvania’s governor, Josh Shapiro has frequently noted that one of his first acts after taking office was removing the college degree requirement for most state jobs.
It’s a point he made again on Jan. 22 when he stopped at the headquarters of Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania to talk about $3.5 million that was included in the 2025-26 state budget to boost the skilled trade industry.
“There are a lot of different paths to success,” Shapiro said. “We have to treat them all with respect.”
The $3.5 million is being used for Manufacturing Training to Careers grants, which are geared to increasing awareness of opportunities in the skilled trades and provide training. During his time as governor, Shapiro has been championing workforce development, with more than $60 million being added to vocational and technical education and apprenticeships.
The grants will allow about 6,500 students “to benefit from that kind of education,” Shapiro said.
Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania is one of the award recipients. It is receiving a $100,000 grant for its Careers in Skilled Trades Initiative. The program is designed to introduce middle and high school students careers in manufacturing and the trades in Beaver, Crawford and Erie counties.
Shapiro was joined by several other officials, including Rick Siger, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and Nancy Walker, secretary of the state’s department of labor and industry. Siger said the grants will help give Pennsylvania students “access to seeing what their future careers might be.”
He added, “Grants like these are really important to moving that strategy forward.”
The governor made his announcement in Junior Achievement’s BizTown. Located just outside Bridgeville, it’s a simulated, hands-on town populated by a variety of businesses.
In BizTown, students in elementary and junior high school have jobs, earn paychecks and manage money just like adults. It is designed to help them learn about money management and real-world job skills.
“This place is amazing,” Shapiro said. “This place is inspiring.”
According to Patricia Matamoros, president of Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania, “By introducing students to manufacturing and skilled trades early, we’re helping them see the many paths available to success.”