
Investing in the future of Pennsylvania's workforce, the Shapiro Administration has earmarked nearly $400,000 for an innovative program aimed at nurturing talent in the field of early childhood education—specifically with a cohort of Black male students in mind. The expanded Early Childhood Education Pre-Apprenticeship program at Parkway West High School, supported by this substantial fund, was spotlighted recently by Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker alongside Philadelphia Academies Inc, as per the Pennsylvania Government Website.
The new initiative, celebrated in a ceremony at the high school, spotlights Governor Shapiro's dedication to workforce development since his first day in office. In fact, the governor's administration has upped the ante for these programs, pouring close to $65 million into various workforce development initiatives, marking an increase of over fifty percent compared to the 2022-23 budget.
According to a press release, the ceremony will take place today, at 5:30 PM inside Parkway West High School's IMC room, located at 4725 Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia. The focus during the event was not just on financial inputs but also on educational support and an environment that encourages leadership among the youth.
An integral part of the program's mission is to address educational and racial inequities head-on. In her remarks, Secretary Walker emphasized the program's innovative approach, describing it as a significant step toward empowering young people through employment while also expanding the crucial educational support they urgently require.