Workforce Development Push Targets Skilled Trades Shortages Reshaping Berwick Job Market

Berwick Industries Incorporated plans to open a new manufacturing operation in Columbia County that will add 125 jobs, backed by a $150,000 WEDnetPA grant for worker training.

The move comes as Berwick faces documented shortages in welding, HVAC, carpentry, plumbing and mechatronics. These gaps limit how quickly new operations can staff up and how existing businesses retain workers. B.I.D.A. has identified the shortages through local planning sessions and now routes companies toward state and federal training dollars to close them.

B.I.D.A. Grant Applications Focus on Site Reuse

B.I.D.A. is seeking a U.S. EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant to evaluate the former American Car and Foundry buildings for conversion into a workforce development center. The group is also in the planning stage for a separate $2,000,000 center that would receive support from the Economic Development Administration. Both efforts center on turning underused industrial property into training space that directly serves the trades now in short supply.

B.I.D.A. already helps businesses move from site selection to financing and training connections. The new grants would expand that role by giving companies a physical location where they can send recruits for targeted instruction in the five listed trades.

Training Funds Tied to Immediate Hiring Needs

The $150,000 WEDnetPA grant for Berwick Industries shows how state dollars are being paired with private investment to prepare workers before the plant opens. B.I.D.A. has said it will continue to link local employers with similar programs so that training matches the exact skills required on the floor.

Next steps for the association include completing the EPA grant application and advancing the $2,000,000 center design with EDA input. Businesses seeking similar support can contact B.I.D.A. for guidance on site options and available training resources.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.