Chester County receives grant for Project Reconnect

The Chester County Workforce Development Board (WDB) was recently awarded a $2 million state grant to enable qualified individuals sidetracked while in college or in a certification program to reengage with their studies to graduate or become credentialed. The Near Completers Funds will assist Chester County residents who seek to complete their education, allowing for greater career mobility and increased economic competitiveness in the region.

The Near Completers

Grant awarded to Chester County by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry will bring together the workforce development and postsecondary ecosystems in Chester, Montgomery and Berks counties. This first-of-its-kind collaboration will support nearly 100 Pennsylvanians with some college education but no degree to be employed in their intended training area. In Chester County, the program will be called Project Reconnect and administered by the Chester County Economic Development Council.

Project Reconnect is available to qualified individuals working toward employment in a high-priority or in-demand occupation - primarily health care - by assisting with child care, flexible scheduling, transportation, food, housing, health and wellness, language access and family support. Support will come in the form of project managers, success navigators, faculty advisory teams, PA CareerLink and employer partners.

The program began on June 1.