Wolf approves $1 million grant for additive manufacturing training

Governor Tom Wolf approved a $1 million grant support more training programs to United Mine Workers of America Career Centers, Inc., according to a news release.

The training center, located in Prosperity, will focus on training workers in coal-impacted communities in southwest Pennsylvania in advanced manufacturing technology.

“Workers and their families in southwest Pennsylvania have seen their share of challenges, with many former coal workers seeking new jobs in manufacturing, but lacking the necessary job skills to do so,” said Wolf, in a prepared statement. “UMWACC’s renovated training center is providing opportunities for those workers, and this new grant enables UMWACC to expand that training even further into the in-demand field of mechatronics.”

The center is also partnering with the Community College of Allegheny County to offer a students a certificate program in advanced manufacturing and mechatronics, according to the release.

“The $1 million grant from the (Department of Community and Economic Development) represents a key component in facilitating our training programs here in Ruff Creek,” said Clemmy Allen, executive director of UMWACC, in a prepared statement. “The training equipment, primarily for our mechatronics training program, will help prepare residents of rural coal mining communities for employment in advanced manufacturing.”