In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation establishing the Pennsylvania Workforce, Opportunity, Retention and Knowledge Scholarship Program (PA WORKS). This program is designed to encourage partnerships between the business community and post-secondary education providers to better prepare students for careers in critical industries facing ongoing labor shortages.

Under this proposal, businesses participating in the program would be eligible to direct tax credits toward scholarship funding for students enrolled in approved Pennsylvania institutions offering training and degree programs tied to workforce needs. This structure is based on Pennsylvania’s existing scholarship tax credit models, which have successfully expanded educational access through public-private collaboration.

PA WORKS would provide students with additional financial support to pursue technical education and career training while helping employers invest directly in the future workforce they depend upon. By strengthening the connection between education and industry, the program would promote long-term workforce retention, support economic competitiveness and help ensure Pennsylvania has the skilled labor necessary to meet future demands.

I hope you will join me in sponsoring this legislation.