The summit was held to train and hire skilled workers

This week, officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) joined the Labor Development Specialists at the Pennsylvania College of Technology (PCT) at the annual summit to highlight the integral role of apprenticeship programs for employers and employers. labor force.

“Pennsylvania has a long and proud history of apprenticeship programs focused on skilled industries such as manufacturing, construction and transportation. Over the past few years, new learning opportunities have emerged in areas such as healthcare, IT and energy. As a strategy for the development of the workforce, training is gaining momentum in non-traditional professions and strengthens the economy of our Commonwealth, ”said Tara Lev, Director of the Anti-Terrorist Operation. “It’s a proven fact that registered training creates employment opportunities, and most students receive an average starting salary of $ 70,000 after completing the program.”

Leo joined the PCT Workforce Development Specialists at the 2022 Apprenticeship Summit along with an audience of employers from a variety of fields who are either already involved in the training or interested in starting a training program. The topic of today’s summit was “Improving hiring and retention through training”, where experts explained what registered training is, how the program is built and how it can benefit the company.

“The shortage of skilled workers affects companies in all sectors and only gets worse when we move away from COVID,” said Chris Ray, executive director of workforce development at PCT. “Training overcomes these challenges through comprehensive staff development, while supporting recruitment and maintenance efforts to further close the skills gap.”

PCT staff highlighted the many paths to education and ultimately a successful career, emphasizing that vocational training – especially training – and college training are not always mutually exclusive.

“Penn College has an extensive history of responding to industry needs. These summits are another example of our agility in understanding the urgent needs of the workforce, while providing timely and important information to help companies overcome the challenges they pose, ”said Shannon Monroe, vice president of PCT workforce development. .

Meuser supports American

Energy Independence Act

U.S. MP Dan Mauser, Dallas, said for the sixth time this week that U.S. energy independence law had been blocked for consideration this week in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mauser said 220 Democrats in the House of Representatives had blocked a bill by Energy and Commerce MP Katie McMorris Rogers and Bruce Westerman, authored by MP Mauser.

Mazer said the legislation would allow more energy production in America, including Pennsylvania. The bill was introduced in the House on 28 February.

Proponents of the law say it will promote U.S. energy independence:

• Immediate approval of the Keystone XL pipeline

• Lifting restrictions on liquefied gas exports

• Resumption of oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters

• Protect American energy and develop minerals

The legislation also requires the Biden administration to present an energy security policy within 30 days and required the energy minister to develop a plan to replace oil extracted from the strategic reserve.

Mazer called the situation a “national crisis” and stressed that independence from foreign entities in the energy sector would be beneficial for business and consumers.

“Gas prices have reached another record high, but the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress continue to attack US domestic energy,” Mauser said.

Senator Tumi:

Ukraine can win

U.S. Senator Pat Toomie of R-Lehi Valley this week issued the following statement in support of additional aid to Ukraine, NATO allies and countries affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Today’s additional assistance will give the Ukrainian government the military support it desperately needs – through financial aid, weapons and training – to continue to defend its territory and ultimately win this aggressive war on Russia. This assistance will also allow Ukraine to develop a long-term recovery strategy and provide immediate support to refugees fleeing Russia’s brutal invasion, ”said Senator Tumi. “The package is not perfect, but it is very important that we allow Ukraine to win this war and teach Putin – and all the other revisionist authoritarians who observe – that such a violent disregard for the sovereignty of our neighbors is a big mistake.”

This additional assistance for Ukraine includes:

• More than $ 20 billion in military aid: allows the Ukrainian military to acquire vital weapons;

• funds the training of the Ukrainian military in unfamiliar weapons systems of the United States and its allies;

• replenishes US military supplies that have been depleted as a result of previous donations to Ukraine; and

• Enables neighboring NATO allies to acquire weapons and materials.

• Additional financial support from NATO allies, including the Baltics, and US troops deployed in the region.

• Humanitarian and other assistance to Ukrainian refugees, including refugees eligible in the United States

• Funding to support the restoration and operation of the US Embassy in Kyiv.

• Immediate and long-term financial support to the Ukrainian government and critical infrastructure.

DMVA announces veterans

Trust Fund Grant Opportunities

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs of Pennsylvania (DMVA) this week announced that the Veterans Trust Fund for 2021-2022 (VTF) is accepting additional applications for grants for programs and services that benefit Pennsylvania veterans. The DMVA will provide VTF grants to nonprofits and veterans organizations across the state. Grant applications must be received no later than 2:00 PM EST on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.

“These additional grants are made possible by the continued generosity of Pennsylvania residents who donate to the Veterans Trust Fund year after year,” said Major General Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General and Head of the DMVA. “We are honored to work with community organizations and county advocates to ensure that the needs of our veterans and their families are met.”

Grants will be considered in the following areas:

VTF funding is available to veterans’ organizations with status 501 (c) (19) and nonprofits with a Pennsylvania veterans service mission that have status 501 (c) (3) under the Tax Code. Priority areas for funding candidates in this category are employment and education, health initiatives, and other programs or services that meet the unmet needs of veterans and their families.

Schindler noted that organizations that applied under the original announcement for fiscal year 2021-22, which closed on January 19, 2022, should not re-apply under this grant option. These original applications will be considered as part of this appendix to the current cycle of additional grants.

Since the start of the grant program in 2013, 205 grants totaling $ 5,191,860 have been awarded to organizations that provide services to veterans in Pennsylvania.

The state emphasizes mental health

services for the elderly

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging and Social Services joined the Association of Pennsylvania District Aging Agencies Association (P4A) this week on its fifth annual Elderly Mental Health Day to highlight the mental health needs of a population that is often ignored and underserved. .

“As Pennsylvania’s older adult population continues to grow and become more diverse, we need to improve resources and support to meet the mental health needs of this population, which tends to be more socially isolated than other age groups. We know that social isolation negatively affects older people and can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression, which can negatively affect their physical and mental health and lead to a higher risk of death, “said Minister of Aging Robert Torres. there is also a need to eliminate any stigma and myths surrounding older people and mental health that may prevent them from seeking help. ”

Section Torres noted that one common myth is that depression is a normal, inevitable part of aging. However, when people face depression, it is often possible to successfully treat people, allowing them to live with a better sense of mental health and well-being. The second mental health myth about aging is that suicide is a problem only among young people. “Unfortunately, this could not be further from the truth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate is highest among men aged 65 and older, which is a clear indication of unmet mental health needs in older adult communities, ”said Chap. Torres.