State Makes $5 Million Available Linking Teachers with Employers

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Oct. 23 that $5 million in grants is available to enable teachers to visit local employers and learn the skills and industry trends that will enhance their classroom instruction, student learning, and career readiness.

Education agencies and local workforce development boards are eligible to apply for the Teacher in the Workplace grants. Two types of grants are available.

Teacher in the Workplace Targeted Grants, administered by the Department of Education, provide up to $25,000 to local education agencies to expand career readiness and work-based learning experiences. The application deadline is Nov. 20, 2019.

Teacher in the Workplace Advancing Grants, administered by the Department of Labor & Industry, encourage educators to develop partnerships with businesses with up to $50,000 for local workforce development boards, as well as up to $125,000 for schools and school districts that focus on underserved communities. The application deadline is Dec. 23, 2019.

The Teacher in the Workplace grants from L&I are funded at 100 percent through federal money made available from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act and from PDE through Title II, Part A, Every Student Succeeds Act to help all students to have the information and tools needed to gain awareness of college and career pathways to make informed decisions regarding their postsecondary future.

The investment is part of the governor’s budget goal of nearly doubling funding for the Teacher in the Workplace (TIW) program this year.

“The Teacher in the Workplace program lets teachers spend time at local employers to learn about the evolving skills students will need to compete for good local jobs,” said Gov. Wolf. “Teachers bring that experience back to their classrooms to develop better lesson plans and prepare students for jobs in their community.”

“These programs provide educators with invaluable opportunities to interact with local businesses and provide students with work-relevant skills that put them on a solid career path for future success,” said Labor & Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak. “TIW programs provide teachers with a better understanding of in-demand careers, the skills necessary to succeed in the workplace, and how the subjects they teach connect to the world beyond the classroom.”