Vo-tech schools serving Westmoreland, A-K Valley districts get nearly $82K in grants

Three vo-tech schools that serve 11 school districts in Westmoreland County and the Alle-Kiski Valley have received close to $82,000 in grants from the state Education Department.

Lenape Technical School received $40,675, Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center received $49,999, and Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center received $16,930.

The grants will be used to buy equipment and provide hands-on training aligned with the needs of local employers, said state Rep. Joseph Petrarca, who announced the grants Friday.

The schools offer programs in fields including auto mechanics, cosmetology, culinary arts, computer information technology and more.

Lenape Tech includes students from the Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Freeport Area and Leechburg Area school districts.

Eastern Westmoreland teaches students from Derry Area, Greater Latrobe and Ligonier Valley school districts.

Northern Westmoreland serves students from Burrell, Franklin Regional, Kiski Area and New Kensington-Arnold school districts.

“I’ve consistently supported career and technical schools during my legislative career, and I am pleased these grants will help them better prepare students for career-ready positions in a variety of fields, including welding, manufacturing and construction,” Petrarca said in a news release. “Providing students with real-world experience and training will ensure they are ready to meet the demands and challenges of an ever-changing workforce.”