The Manufacturers Association Awarded $350,000 State Grant to Advance South Central Pennsylvania 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.
- 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.