By: Brent Sailhamer, Director of Government Affairs, ABC Keystone

One day before the official kickoff of the education year for Keystone’s apprenticeship classes, President & CEO Dave Sload had an opportunity to display the capacity of the remodeled facility to some of the state’s most influential policymakers.  Pennsylvania Secretary of Labor & Industry Jerry Oleksiak and Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Eileen Cipriani toured the Keystone chapter headquarters, seeing firsthand the expansive training opportunities that are set to be offered for apprenticeship and certification classes this fall.

After the facility tour, Oleksiak and Cipriani had a robust discussion with ABC staff and members from the Keystone chapter as well as the Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Pennsylvania chapters.  The discussion focused on reforms needed in statewide apprenticeship policy, innovative practices throughout the Commonwealth involving workforce development, and renewed resources available for career training programs.  The discussion underscored the already sizeable need for skilled trade employees throughout the state while also emphasizing the need for more opportunities in training for construction, nursing, manufacturing and other industries.  In all, the talks continued to improve ongoing dialogues between ABC as a training provider, the Department of Labor & Industry, and employers.

September 7, 2018