Shapiro Budget Proposes $7M for Schools-to-Work Program

Shapiro Administration Invests Millions to Ensure PA Students are Prepared for In-Demand Fields, Visits Pitt-Titusville’s Machining Program to Highlight Increased Funding in 2026-27 Budget

Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal calls for increasing state funding for L&I’s Schools-to-Work program to $7 million as part of a broader effort to strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce pipeline.

April 21, 2026

• Department of Labor & Industry Follow DLI on Facebook
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• Department of Labor & Industry Follow DLI on YouTube TITUSVILLE, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker today visited the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville’s Education and Training Center to highlight how the Shapiro Administration’s investments are helping students in rural Pennsylvania prepare for careers in manufacturing, health care, and other in-demand fields. Governor Josh Shapiro is committed to investing in tomorrow’s workforce, which is why his 2026-27 budget plan calls for increasing funding for the Schools-to-Work initiative to $7 million, empowering more young Pennsylvanians with the tools they need to chart their own course.

During the visit, Secretary Walker toured the Manufacturing Assistance Center, a classroom overlooking the shop floor, and a nursing lab, and also viewed a dental hygiene training initiative connected to the Pitt Dental School. The visit highlighted how Pitt-Titusville is working with local school partners to give students hands-on experience, clearer career pathways, and stronger connections to employers in their own communities

“Schools-to-Work is about giving students a clearer path from the classroom to a career,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “At Pitt-Titusville, students are getting hands-on exposure to real training environments and real career options, and those experiences are being shaped by the needs of the region. That kind of partnership matters, especially in rural communities where local opportunity can have a lasting impact.”

In March 2026, the Shapiro Administration announced more than $4.1 million in Schools-to-Work grant investments for 17 projects statewide. Pitt-Titusville received $250,000 to expand machining and CNC pre-apprenticeship certifications aligned with regional manufacturing demand, and the university matched that investment with $750,000 of its own funding to support the program and expand training opportunities for students across the region.

“We were honored to host Secretary Walker and highlight the critical importance of advanced manufacturing training to our students and the regional economy,” said Richard Esch, President of the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville. “This Schools-to-Work grant will allow more students to graduate career-ready, while also ensuring area manufacturers have a strong pipeline to top talent.”

Governor Shapiro is committed to building a stronger workforce and expanding opportunity for young Pennsylvanians in every part of the Commonwealth. Since January 2023, Schools-to-Work funding has supported 52 programs statewide and 2,295 students with hands-on training, classroom instruction, mentorship, and direct connections to employment and apprenticeship opportunities.

As the Governor looks to build upon these historic investments, his 2026-27 budget calls for:

• An additional $18 million for vo-tech, career and technical education (CTE), and apprenticeship programs;
• $3.5 million investment to reach $7 million total for Schools-to-Work to bridge classroom learning with real-world opportunity and align training with in-demand industries and workforce needs across the Commonwealth;
• $6.3 million to continue building a stronger, more resilient workforce through the Industry Partnership program, which brings together regional business leaders within one industry and public partners to address shared workforce needs; and
• Increasing state funding for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) by $1 million to help Pennsylvanians with disabilities find and keep employment; For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

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