Governor talks up skilled trade grants at Junior Achievement headquarters
Shapiro discusses skilled trades 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 Thursday afternoon 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 PA Training-to-Career 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 6,5000 students “to benefit from that kind of education,” Shapiro said.
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.”
While the focus of Shapiro’s appearance was on vocational education and career readiness, more immediate concerns were also part of the discussion. When asked about the winter storm that is expected to strike Pennsylvania over the weekend, the governor said that “many state agencies are coordinating with one another,” and he would be prepared to sign an emergency declaration if he has to.
“Our team has drilled for this,” Shapiro said. “We trained for this. My hope is it’s not a disruptive storm.”