Governor Corbett Discusses Commitment to Workforce Development; Recognizes WEDnetPA

MONTGOMERYVILLE, Pa., May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett was joined at ASI Technologies Inc. today by employees to announce that the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA) has hit a significant milestone this spring – the training of its one-millionth employee. 

"My goal as governor is a job for every Pennsylvanian that wants one and a trained Pennsylvanian for every job," Corbett said. "WEDnetPA is one of a number of workforce development initiatives my administration is supporting to continue our heritage of having a hard-working, highly-skilled workforce ready to fulfill the jobs of today."

Since 1999, WEDnetPA has helped more than 17,000 companies, of all sizes, train incumbent employees. WEDnetPA uses existing staff at partner institutions for a cost effective and efficient program delivery system, with 90 cents of every program dollar going directly to employee training. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development provides funding through WEDnetPA to businesses to provide workers with basic skills and information technology training. The program works through a network of 30 diverse partners including state universities, community colleges, and other educational partners throughout the state. 

"Every dollar the commonwealth invests in WEDnetPA results in an additional four dollars of company investment in job training," Corbett said. "Training provided by the program helps us attract new companies and enables Pennsylvania-based companies to remain competitive."

Participating companies report increased efficiency and product quality, have avoided layoffs and maximized opportunities for growth and expansion, while employees who were trained were more likely to be promoted, saw their wages increased and showed improved motivation and productivity.

Corbett announced the one-millionth trainee milestone during a visit to ASI Technologies in Montgomeryville, Montgomery County. ASI, a recent recipient of funds through WEDnetPA, designs and builds production geared drive systems for battery powered vehicles and apparatus including: wheelchairs, electric scooters, floor care machinery, material handling equipment, and door openers.  

Media contact:
Kelli Roberts, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
Steve Kratz, DCED; 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor