Skills in Scranton, the workforce development division of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation to support career awareness and workforce development initiatives throughout Lackawanna County.

Funding will support the coordination and creation of workforce development programming, including the development and implementation of community-wide career pathways resources and the Educator in the Workplace (EIW) program.

“Early exposure to careers and meaningful connections between educators and local employers are critical to building a strong future workforce,” said Emily Pettinato, Workforce Development Manager at The Chamber. “This investment from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation allows Skills in Scranton to continue expanding opportunities that help students understand the careers available in their own communities while giving educators a stronger understanding of the skills and experiences employers need.”

Educator in the Workplace is a flagship program of Skills in Scranton that connects local educators with businesses and industry professionals through hands-on workplace experiences. The program helps educators better understand current workforce needs and incorporate real-world career connections into the classroom. EIW is recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education as a best practice for career readiness and talent pipeline development.

The grant will also support the continued development of community-wide career pathways resources designed to help students, educators and families explore local career opportunities, employers, education and training options, and the pathways that connect education to employment.

Through these efforts, Skills in Scranton works to strengthen connections among students, educators and employers, helping young people make informed decisions about their futures while supporting the talent needs of Lackawanna County employers.