Across Pennsylvania, communities are facing a serious shortage of skilled workers in the construction trades. This shortage slows down homebuilding, raises project costs, and makes it harder for families to find affordable housing. As experienced trades workers retire, many regions do not have enough new workers entering the field to keep up with demand.
 
This legislation creates a dedicated funding stream to expand construction trade training across the Commonwealth. It allows counties and municipalities to add a modest fee on residential building permits, with all revenue deposited into a statewide Construction Trades Training Fund. This fee is intentionally kept low to avoid burdening homeowners or builders. The bill will create a new grant program, strengthen oversight, and give training programs more flexibility to purchase equipment, update curriculum, and expand capacity.
 
By investing in a stronger construction workforce pipeline, this legislation supports economic growth, accelerates housing development, and expands opportunities for young people across Pennsylvania. A well-trained construction workforce benefits every region of the Commonwealth by reducing project delays, lowering housing costs, and ensuring communities have the skilled workers they need.
 
Please join us in co-sponsoring this legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s construction workforce, expand training opportunities, and ensure our communities can build the housing and infrastructure they need. Together, we can support local programs, grow our economy, and prepare the next generation of skilled trades workers.