State and local lawmakers announced nearly $400,000 in state funding that allowed Philadelphia Academies Inc. (PAI) to expand its Early Childhood Education Pre-Apprenticeship program, in partnership with Parkway West High School.
As part of a $3.9 million investment in pre-apprenticeship opportunities for Pennsylvania high school students, the Shapiro Administration awarded PAI $399,132 last fall. With this investment, PAI is now launching an expanded version of its program, which includes a cohort of Black male students, with a focus on widening educational supports, addressing educational and racial inequities, and empowering young people through employment and leadership.
“Through this investment, the Shapiro Administration is not only supporting PAI’s work to train the next generation of early education workers who will shape the minds of Pennsylvania’s youngest learners, but we’re also taking important strides to address the teacher shortage and open up the doors of opportunity for those who have too often been left behind,”said Secretary Nancy Walker. “When Pennsylvania supports pre-apprenticeship programs like this one, we are building a bridge between education and the workforce, offering students hands-on training that directly aligns with industry needs, and empowering the next generation with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s economy.”
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that, on average, apprentices earn a starting wage of $80,000 per year after graduation and are on track to earn $300,000 more over their careers compared to workers who do not graduate from an apprenticeship program.
“This investment in our expanded Early Childhood Education program demonstrates that preapprenticeships can be more than just a stepping stone,” said PAI’s President and CEO F. Christopher Groins. “We are building a future where aspiring Black educators not only see themselves in the classroom, but are empowered to lead, inspire, and shape the next generation of students with confidence and purpose.”
For more information, visit pa.gov
