“Jobs that Pay” tour highlights apprenticeships at Penn United Technologies

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Deputy Secretary Eileen Cipriani recently continued the Wolf administration's “Jobs that Pay” tour at Penn United Technologies L.I.G.H.T. (Learning Institute for the Growth of High Technology) Center's apprenticeship training facilities in Butler County. Cipriani discussed L&I's Apprentice Training Office (ATO) and Gov. Tom Wolf's initiatives that invest in 21st century manufacturing, workforce development, and training programs.

"Apprenticeship programs provide job seekers with valuable training and hands-on experience and create a pool of highly skilled, qualified talent for employers," said Deputy Secretary Cipriani. "This program at Penn United Technologies is an excellent example of how apprenticeships benefit the local economy and create family-sustaining jobs."

Penn United Technologies, a provider of high-precision stampings, components, and assemblies, has nine different apprenticeship programs registered with the ATO. The training programs are one to five years long and include precision machinist, plating technician, machine operator, and toolmaker. The company's L.I.G.H.T. Center is used to train apprentices, conduct customer and community trainings, and for pre-apprenticeship training programs.

Since its establishment last year, the ATO, which is responsible for providing outreach, education, and technical support to current and prospective apprenticeship program sponsors and apprentices, has added 1,714 new apprentices and 66 new registered apprenticeship occupations statewide.