Pennsylvania offers three complementary funding streams for apprenticeship programs. PAsmart grants support new program development, WEDnetPA reimburses ongoing training costs, and local workforce boards provide wage subsidies and navigator support. Each funding source has distinct eligibility requirements, amounts, and application processes. This guide breaks down all three.
PAsmart Apprenticeship Grants
PAsmart serves as Pennsylvania's umbrella for workforce and STEM education grants. The PA Department of Labor & Industry offers PAsmart Apprenticeship Development Grants annually, sometimes called Apprenticeship Building America Grants when federally funded.
Funding amount: Up to $400,000 per project
Eligibility: Community colleges, unions, industry associations, and partnerships that include industry + education + workforce board collaboration
Allowable costs:
- Program development and curriculum design
- Equipment purchases
- Instructor wages for related instruction
- Apprentice wage offsets during training
- First cohort expenses
Timeline: Department of Labor & Industry typically releases announcements mid-year
Track record: Since 2018, Pennsylvania has invested millions through PAsmart grants, creating new apprenticeships in robotics, logistics, and healthcare. In 2024, L&I announced $450,000 for "Supporting Registered Apprenticeship Building" grants focusing on diverse talent pipelines and new industries.
Application: Monitor PA Department of Labor & Industry announcements for upcoming opportunities.
WEDnetPA (Workforce & Economic Development Network)
Pennsylvania's WEDnetPA program, also known as the Guaranteed Free Training program, is one of the longest-standing incumbent worker training initiatives in the country. It reimburses employers for training their existing employees in basic and advanced skills.
Funding amount: Up to $100,000 per year per company, with a $2,000 per employee cap
Annual budget: Approximately $8 million statewide
Administration: Managed through a consortium of colleges and universities
Employee eligibility:
- Must be Pennsylvania residents
- Earning under approximately $25/hour for basic skills (higher thresholds for advanced skills)
- Already employed (incumbent workers)
How it applies to apprenticeships: If your apprenticeship involves upskilling current workers—promoting entry-level employees into apprentice technician or supervisor roles—those workers qualify as incumbent and their training may be reimbursable. For example, if an incumbent worker takes a 40-hour advanced PLC course as part of an apprenticeship, the employer can apply to WEDnetPA to cover that training cost up to $2,000. Similarly, on-the-job training from a vendor can be claimed.
What it covers: Training expenses only—tuition, trainer fees, technical skills courses, software training, health and safety certifications. WEDnetPA is flexible across training topics but does not cover wages.
Application process: Companies apply through local WEDnetPA partners (colleges). Funds are first-come, first-served each fiscal year.
Local Workforce Board Programs
Pennsylvania's Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO), established in 2016, works closely with the state's 23 workforce development boards to integrate apprenticeship into local workforce plans. State guidance requires each board to spend WIOA training funds on apprenticeships or similar "earn-and-learn" programs.
Structure: Not a unified state program—each workforce board operates independently with varying incentives
Funding source: WIOA discretionary dollars at the local level
Support services: Some boards have dedicated apprenticeship navigators or mini-grant programs
Philadelphia Works example:
- Offers $50,000 grants to apprenticeship intermediaries
- Provides OJT reimbursements for apprenticeships
- Covers up to 50% of wages for 6-9 months for registered apprentices (similar to standard WIOA OJT)
Eligibility: Varies by board but often targets apprentices who qualify as dislocated workers or low-income adults under WIOA guidelines
Action step: Contact your regional workforce board directly to learn about local apprenticeship incentives and wage subsidies.
Combining Funding Sources (Braiding Strategy)
One powerful approach is using PAsmart grant funding to launch a program, then WEDnetPA to sustain it. For instance, a consortium might receive a $300,000 PAsmart grant to develop a new robotics apprenticeship—covering initial curriculum design and subsidizing the first cohort's related instruction. After the grant period ends, employers in the consortium can enroll in WEDnetPA annually to receive reimbursement for ongoing training costs for each new apprentice (up to $2,000 each), effectively institutionalizing the funding.
Meanwhile, local workforce boards can be tapped for OJT wage subsidies for apprentices who qualify as eligible dislocated workers or low-income adults. This could cover 50% of their wages for six months of the apprenticeship.
Pennsylvania also recently enabled braiding WIOA Title II adult education funds with apprenticeship programs. Some literacy providers now use adult education grants to teach contextualized math and reading to apprentices who need to improve basic skills while apprenticing.
Compliance reality: Managing braided funding requires tracking program standards, training hours, and WIOA eligibility across multiple compliance systems. Apprenticeship data management platforms like Craft help sponsors maintain audit-ready records for DOL standards and funding-specific reporting requirements in one centralized system.
Recent Developments & Next Steps
Governor Shapiro's administration has signaled continued support for apprenticeships as part of its workforce development strategy. In April 2025, Pennsylvania announced over $10.35 million in PAsmart "Advancing" grants for CTE and STEM, including work-based learning integration. The state also rolled out Future Ready PA, a new workforce reporting system to track outcomes including apprenticeship completions.
For training providers and employers looking to access Pennsylvania funding, monitor Department of Labor & Industry announcements for PAsmart opportunities, connect with local WEDnetPA college partners for incumbent worker training, and reach out to your regional workforce board for local apprenticeship incentives.
Want the complete funding picture? Download the full Apprenticeship Funding Guide for detailed information on federal funding sources, additional state programs, and comprehensive braiding strategies.
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