ESU receives $295K workforce training grant

Aug. 3--East Stroudsburg University's Career and Workforce Development office has received a $295,036 training grant for the 2019-20 fiscal year to support workforce training through the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania. That WEDnetPA funding is provide by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

"No other investment yields a greater return than the investment in training," said Daria Wielebinski, assistant director of the office of career and workforce development and ESU's WEDnetPA partner. "A trained workforce is the foundation of every company. WEDnet is your free investment too."

"Qualified companies interested in applying for these funds are encouraged to submit their applications to be considered for this year's allocation."

The WEDnetPA program provides qualified companies with the funds to train their employees in essential skills up to $600 per eligible employee and in technology skills up to $1,200 per eligible employee. Companies may qualify for a total of $75,000 for essential skills and $50,000 for technical skills training. Funding is available primarily to manufacturing, healthcare and information-technology-based industries including financial, biotech and environmental-tech companies.

WEDnetPA's mission is to build and strengthen employee productivity in Pennsylvania's workforce by supporting training that will put employees on a path to higher performance. Companies identify their training needs and select their training providers. Training can occur online, in a traditional classroom with instruction facilitated by a third party or conducted by in-house staff.

ESU is a certified WEDnetPA partner authorized to apply for funding on behalf of qualified companies. For additional information, visit www.wednetpa.com or contact Wielebinski at 570-422-3282 or dwielebinski@esu.edu.

WEDnetPA eligibility requirements:

* Employers must be located in Pennsylvania

* Employees must earn at least 150% of current federal minimum wage, excluding benefits

* Trainees must be permanent, full-time employees and eligible for full-time benefits

* Participation is limited to two years in a row and three out of the past five years.

* Inpatient healthcare facilities including primary-care hospitals, nursing homes, mental health facilities and rehabilitation centers are eligible for essential skills training

* Outpatient healthcare facilities including home health care, hospice, doctor's offices, specialty centers, clinics, pharmacies, assisted living facilities and retirement homes are not eligible

* Point-of-sale retail businesses, gaming establishments, travel, hospitality and tourism entities, employment agencies, government agencies, government-owned facilities, education institutions, training vendors, and nonprofit entities are not eligible

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