“This program is a great way to connect manufacturers to the next generation of their workforce while providing students with a creative, educational, and fun way to get excited about future careers in manufacturing,” Governor Wolf said. “Congratulations to the winners of today’s statewide contest, and every student and faculty member who worked on video entries to the contest across the commonwealth this year. Your success in your careers after you graduate will define the future of Pennsylvania.”

WSCM is a series of 12 annual, regional video contests in which middle-school students across Pennsylvania explore manufacturing careers and produce video profiles of companies. For the first time this year, winners from each region competed against one another for statewide awards. Today’s contest included teams representing 22 school districts from across the commonwealth.

“The goal of WSCM is to make manufacturing attractive and cool in the eyes of middle school students so that a career in manufacturing and technical school education are on their radar,” said Jack Pfunder, president and CEO of the Manufacturers Resource Center. “The creativity and enthusiasm that was displayed in each of the videos today is inspiring to all of us, and I congratulate every student who participated in this contest across Pennsylvania.”

The winners of the first annual statewide WSCM contest, and the manufacturers that were the subjects of the videos, were:

• First place: Bethlehem Northeast Middle School, Northampton County, documenting Atlas Machining & Welding, Inc.
• Second place: Wilson West Middle School, Berks County, documenting Novipax
• Third place: Lionville Middle School, Chester County, documenting ONExia, Inc.

Governor Wolf is actively encouraging students to pursue manufacturing careers in a number of ways including his recently implemented Manufacturing PA initiative. Additionally, as part of the 2018-19 budget, the governor proposed to invest $50 million to help workers get the skills and education for jobs in growing industries. Through competitive grants, PAsmart would provide $25 million to expand STEM and computer science education, $10 million to help students and adults get work skills and credentials with In-demand job through career and technical education, $5 million to encourage employer involvement in job training, and $7 million to expand apprenticeships, and $3 million for Industry Partnerships.

Governor Wolf has set a goal for 60 percent of Pennsylvanians to have some form of post-secondary education or training by 2025.

As part of the first phase of the PASmart initiative, the Wolf administration has launched a new informational website dedicated to help people pursing an education and career in Pennsylvania at any stage of life.

MEDIA CONTACTS: 
Michael Gerber, DCED, 717.783.1132
Penny Ickes, L&I, 717.787.7530