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Customized Workforce Training

WEDnetPA

The Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA) brings training funds to qualified companies across the Commonwealth. The goal of WEDnetPA is to strengthen the business environment of the Commonwealth by helping companies improve the skills and productivity of Pennsylvania workers.

Funding for this program is provided by a state appropriation through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

WEDnetPA offers a program to give qualified in-state businesses and out-of-state companies relocating to the economic-friendly business climate of Pennsylvania the opportunity to train new and existing employees.

The keystone of the WEDnetPA program is its ability to be responsive to the needs of Pennsylvania’s business community through a flexible and easy-to-use system. An important element of this system is that businesses determine their own training needs and can select among various training providers (the WEDnetPA partners, third-party providers or in-house staff) as well as delivery options (on-site, off-site, online).

Eligibility Requirements

This represents an overview of the program guidelines. Please consult a WEDnetPA partner for additional information and eligibility requirements. You can view the current WEDnetPA Company Guidelines at: www.wednetpa.com.

Employer Qualifications

  • Must be located in Pennsylvania.
  • Must be in an eligible industry and commercial/industrial in nature.
  • Cannot be limited or explicitly defined as ineligible.
  • Cannot receive funding more than two years in a row or three years out of any five-year period.

Employee Qualifications

  • Must be a resident of and employed in Pennsylvania.
  • Must earn at least $12.00 per hour, excluding benefits.
  • Must be permanently employed full-time and eligible for full-time benefits.
  • Must be an employee of the specific company location for which a contract is awarded.

Training Eligibility

  • Must be skill building for current job, advancement, or promotion.
  • Must start and be completed within the fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) for which the funds are awarded. Partial training cannot be reimbursed.
  • Training costs must be “reasonable” as defined by market rates and other criteria.
  • Each training session must be a minimum of 30 minutes in length.
  • Company orientation and on-the-job training are not eligible.

A Wide Range of Work Skills

The goal of WEDnetPA is to help companies acquire the training their employees need most. Our partners can help you conduct an assessment and develop a training plan to meet those needs. Training can be done offsite, onsite at your company, or online. Any private-sector trainer, and WEDnetPA partner or your qualified in-house staff can conduct the training. Eligible training topics include, but are not limited to:

Health and Science Applications:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Infection Control
  • Nursing
  • Phlebotomy
  • Physics

Computer Operations:

  • Database Software
  • Electronic Medical Records
  • Presentation Software
  • Spreadsheets
  • Word Processing

Software Implementation:

  • Coding/Programming
  • E-Commerce
  • Information Security
  • Network Administration
  • SCRUM
  • Software Engineering
  • Website Design and Development

Business Operations:

  • Customer Service
  • Human Resources
  • Leadership
  • Math
  • Problem Solving

Workplace Behavior Skills:

  • Communications
  • Diversity
  • Drug and Alcohol Abuse
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Teamwork

Manufacturing Fundamentals:

  • Basic & Industrial Electricity
  • Blueprint & Schematic Reading
  • Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
  • Machine Setup
  • Soldering
  • CAD, CAM, CNC, PLC
  • Electronics
  • Rapid Prototyping
  • Robotics

Workplace Health and Safety:

  • Active Shooter
  • ARC Flash
  • Blood-borne Pathogens
  • Confined Space
  • Driver Safety
  • Electrical Safety
  • Fall Protection
  • Fire Safety
  • First Aid, CPR, AED
  • Food Safety
  • Forklift Safety
  • Hazardous Materials Handling
  • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
  • OSHA
  • Personal Protective
  • Equipment (PPE)
  • Workplace Violence

Machine Operations and Maintenance:

  • Hydraulics
  • Industrial Electricity
  • Motor Controls
  • Pneumatics

Our Online Process

It’s as easy as 1. . . 2 . . . 3

  1. Apply – If your company is new to WEDnetPA, submit an online inquiry at www.wednetpa.com. If your company received a WEDnetPA grant in the past, log into your existing ISAAC account to submit your inquiry: https://isaac.wednetpa.com/. When eligibility is confirmed, complete the online application and training plan to request grant funds.
  2. Train – When your application is approved, accept your grant offer through the award notification you will receive by email, then start training.
  3. Invoice – When a training event is completed, submit your documentation within 45 days and you will be reimbursed for the eligible costs.

WEDnetPA Facts

The WEDnetPA partnership includes State System universities, community colleges, Pennsylvania College of Technology and others. Over 1.2 million Pennsylvania employees at more than 20,000 Pennsylvania businesses have received training through the WEDnetPA program.

WEDnetPA training is efficient, effective and far-reaching:

  • WEDnetPA’s investment encourages and leverages training beyond what companies would otherwise do.
  • Every $1 invested in training through the program results in an additional $1.50 cash investment from participating companies.
  • More than 9,000 private-sector providers have conducted training.

Companies report great benefits from training:

  • 99% of employees who receive training report positive outcomes including:
    • Improved communication and teamwork
    • Increased morale
    • Safer workplace with less accidents
    • Job promotions and pay raises
  • 95% of companies experience a positive or major impact on business.
  • 90% say training helps address the issue of finding skilled employees.
  • 70% see an increase in business after training, 20% see more than a 10% increase.

According to research by the PA’s Center for Workforce Information and Analysis:

  • Employees who receive WEDnetPA training realize a wage increase of up to 10% within the first year after training.
  • The retention rate for employees who receive WEDnetPA training is over 85%.

WEDnetPA training is employer driven. Employers can choose to receive training from:

  • One of the WEDnetPA partners.
  • A private-sector training provider.
  • The company’s own in-house staff.

WEDnetPA is focused on small business:

  • About 30% of the training funds go to companies with less than 100 employees.
  • Nearly 60% of the training funds go to companies with less than 250 employees.

90% of WEDnetPA training is delivered to businesses in PA’s targeted industry clusters:

  • Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing
  • Agriculture and Food Production
  • Bio-medical; Building and Construction
  • Business and Financial Services
  • Energy
  • Health Care
  • Information and Communications Services
  • Logistics and Transportation
  • Lumber, Wood and Paper.

Want to Learn More?

For assistance or for more information about WEDnetPA contact:

CJ Ezell, WEDnetPA Partner, at 717-477 1123 x3381 or cjezel@ship.edu.

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