HARRISBURG — Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) announced today two Mercer County schools will receive a combined $990,000 through PennDOT’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant program to expand workforce training opportunities and prepare students for careers in high-demand industries.
“These grants are an investment to prepare students for family-sustaining careers while helping employers meet critical workforce needs,” Brooks said. “By providing hands-on training and exposure to skilled trades, we can help students explore rewarding career paths and meet the growing demand for skilled workers in the transportation and construction industries.”
Mercer County Career Center will receive $500,000 to expand its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training Program to provide tuition assistance to students who might otherwise be unable to afford CDL training, removing a significant financial barrier while addressing the growing regional demand for these professionals.
Farrell Area School District will receive $490,000 to establish a new Middle School Heavy Highway Industry Summer Trades program in partnership with Hope Center for Arts and Technology (HopeCAT). The program will serve as a vital intervention point to spark early interest and create a clear, multi-tiered pipeline directly into high school CTE and registered post-secondary training.
The CTE grant program is supported by federal highway construction funding eligible for workforce development initiatives.