THE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION AWARDED $350,000 STATE GRANT TO ADVANCE SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA'S MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE

THE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION AWARDED $350,000 STATE

GRANT TO ADVANCE SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA'S

MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE

Industry Partnership Grant Will Fuel Career Pipelines, Embrace Emerging Technologies, and

Strengthen the Regional Manufacturing Economy

(York, PA) – The Manufacturers' Association is proud to announce it has been selected as a

recipient of a Pennsylvania Industry Partnership grant through the Pennsylvania Department

of Labor & Industry (L&I), as part of a statewide $2.8 million investment announced by the

Shapiro Administration on April 13, 2026. The Manufacturers' Association has been

awarded $350,000 to advance the South Central Manufacturing Industry Partnership, serving

manufacturers and workers across Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster,

Lebanon, Perry, and York counties.

Building the Future Workforce — Today

This grant represents a significant investment in the future of manufacturing in South

Central Pennsylvania. Through the Manufacturing Industry Partnership, The Manufacturers'

Association will lead a comprehensive, employer-driven workforce strategy focused on five

key pillars:

• Growing the Talent Pipeline — Promoting manufacturing careers to attract a strong,

motivated, qualified, and diverse pool of candidates ready to enter and thrive in

today's manufacturing environment.

• Embracing Technology & Innovation — Facilitating education and adoption

of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to ensure regional manufacturers

remain competitive in an evolving industrial landscape.

• Advancing Training & Career Pathways — Aggregating technical skills training for

manufacturers to leverage cost efficiencies, deliver world class training that is

accessible to smaller manufacturers and to create clear career advancement

pathways for workers.

• Strengthening Industry Collaboration — Facilitating best practice peer learning and

deepening supply chain collaboration across the South Central Pennsylvania

manufacturing community.

1 | 3405 Board Road, Suite 100, York, PA 17406 | 717.843.3891 | mascpa.orgGrant Won

• Regional Collaboration – the industry partnership brings together organizations in

economic development, education, industry and workforce development including

the local workforce boards of SCPaWorks and the Lancaster County Workforce

Development Board.

A Milestone for Our Region's Industry Partnership

"This grant is a tremendous validation of the work our member companies and partners

have been doing to invest in the workforce of tomorrow," said Brian Paterniti, Director of

Workforce development, The Manufacturers' Association. "Manufacturing is the backbone of

South Central Pennsylvania's economy, and this funding will help us ensure that the pipeline

of skilled, innovative talent keeps pace with the exciting opportunities our industry offers.

From robotics and AI to career pathways and supply chain resilience — we are building

something truly transformative for our region."

The Industry Partnership model is built on the principle that employers, educators, workforce

development organizations, economic development agencies, labor, and community

partners are strongest when they work together. For over 20 years, The Manufacturers'

Association has championed this collaborative approach, and this grant empowers us to

deepen those connections across the region.

State Investment Signals Long-Term Commitment

The $350,000 award is part of a broader $2.8 million statewide investment in ten Industry

Partnership grants announced by L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. Recognizing the program's

growing impact, Governor Josh Shapiro has also proposed a $3.5 million increase in Industry

Partnership funding in his 2026-27 budget, which would bring the total state investment

to $6.3 million.

"Industry Partnerships work because they are driven by employers and grounded in the

needs of local communities, connecting workers to good jobs, helping businesses grow, and

strengthening our regional economies," said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker.

Manufacturers interested in participating in this no cost industry partnership should contact

the Association at office@mascpa.org or 717-843-3891 or www.mascpa.org.

About The Manufacturers' Association: Founded in 1906, The Manufacturers' Association is

the voice of manufacturing for hundreds of member and non-member organizations in

south central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. The Association supports manufacturers

with the knowledge, training, and advocacy they need to operate, hire, and train smarter. For

more information, visit mascpa.org or contact the Association at (717) 843-3891.