Throughout the commonwealth and the nation there are numerous grant and financial aid resources available that can assist individuals and organizations in meeting their goals. The grants and financial aid information below is provided with the intent to help you begin the search, not an all-inclusive link to resources that may be available.
Strategic Innovation Grant (SIG) funding provides communities in PA with flexible resources to support innovative solutions to address barriers to
employment. Many government programs and community initiatives already partner collaboratively to work with
individuals to resolve these barriers. SIG funding can provide resources for new, innovative concepts, fill funding gaps, or
supplement existing initiatives to provide more comprehensive services for Pennsylvanians with barriers and improve
their employment outcomes and support Pennsylvania’s economic vitality.
State/Local Internship Program (SLIP)
Pennsylvania’s workforce development system must work with employers and other stakeholders to connect young people with high-quality work-based learning opportunities, paid work experiences and career pathways. Last year’s State/Local Internship Program, or SLIP, placed 1,130 16- to 24-year-old youth and young adults into internships at 657 worksites in a variety of industries.
Statewide Layoff Aversion Plan (SLAP) Grant
The PA Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is seeking applications for a grant to provide layoff aversion services to stabilize, restructure, turn-around or attract buyers for at risk businesses. The amount of the grant will not exceed $1.5 Million per program year. This grant will be awarded for a one-year period and provides an option to extend for a second and third year.
PAsmart Grants
Governor Tom Wolf secured $70 million for PAsmart over two years, including $40 million for science and technology education and $30 million for apprenticeships and job training programs. These grants aim improve access to science, technology, engineering, and math education for all students. PAsmart also focuses on increasing computer science (CS) education to prepare Pennsylvania's workforce.
These grants will support schools, students, workers and businesses across the state. PAsmart will help Pennsylvanians develop the skills they need for the job they want. It will also support businesses through creating a skilled workforce to hire. Learn more about the PAsmart Grants and previous awardees.
- Apprenticeship Grants - PAsmart Apprenticeship grants provide funds to help build a diverse talent pipeline in the building and construction trades; expand registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship in non-traditional industries with an emphasis on health care, manufacturing, and information technology; and to support registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship through ambassador networks across the commonwealth.
- Next Generation Industry Partnership Grants - PAsmart Next Generation grants provide funds to support the development, launch, implementation, and technical assistance of Next Gen IPs that are demand-driven in addressing the workforce, economic development, and educational needs of Pennsylvania industries.
Business Education Partnership Grant
The Business-Education Partnership grant provides opportunities to connect local businesses with school districts to promote job opportunities and career pathways. These programs increase awareness of in-demand technical careers for students, parents, guardians, teachers and school faculty.
Teacher in the Workplace Grants
The Teacher in the Workplace (TIW) program provides the opportunity for eligible organizations in partnership with their Local Workforce Development Board to develop and/or implement TIW programs that connect the classroom to the workplace for K-postsecondary educators in Pennsylvania. Learn more about the TIW program, grants and projects.
Youth Reentry Demonstration Project
The Youth Reentry Demonstration Project aims to engage youth, who were incarcerated or were subjected to the justice system, in a career pathway leading to postsecondary education, advanced training, and/or meaningful employment. Additionally, these programs will feature close working relationships between LWDBs, the PA CareerLink® system, county and/or state justice systems, community or faith-based organizations, the federal bonding program, career and technical education centers, Job Corps, and institutions of higher education.
Economic Transition
The Economic Transition grant funding helps LWDBs train dislocated workers in High Priority Occupations and provide the necessary supportive services to complete training under the Trade and Economic Transition National Dislocated Worker Grant (Economic Transition). This funding will focus on dislocated workers with entry-level skills or those who require minimal training for re-entry into the workforce.
State Apprenticeship Expansion Grant
The State Apprenticeship Expansion Grant aims to help develop trades/skilled trade apprenticeship programs specific to the energy sector (i.e. natural gas extraction and related activities) in regions of the commonwealth that have demonstrated a need for employees skilled in this industry.
Related Programs
The PA Department of Community & Economic Development is currently offering an apprenticeship grant. The Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program is a statewide program which offers assistance to registered apprenticeship programs. The program’s goal is to increase apprenticeship availability to Pennsylvania employers to assist them with their talent recruitment and development.
WEDnetPA
Essential skills and technical skills training for new and existing employees, targeting manufacturing and technology companies.
Industry Partnerships (IPs)
Consortium-based, employer-driven worker training in high priority occupations (HPOs)
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
The WOTC provides a private-for-profit employer with tax savings as an incentive to hire job seekers with barriers to employment.