Schweyer, Schlossberg, Siegel, and Miller applaud career and technical education investments in their community
Rep. Peter G. Schweyer, Rep. Mike Schlossberg, Rep. Josh Siegel May 1, 2025 | 10:56 AM
ALLENTOWN, May 1 – Continuing their work to invest in career and technical education in the Lehigh Valley, state Reps. Peter Schweyer, Mike Schlossberg and Josh Siegel, in collaboration with state Sen. Nick Miller, announced grant funding totaling $525,000 was awarded to two educational institutions in the community.
The Allentown School District received $450,000 and the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute received $75,000 through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s PAsmart Advancing Grants for Career and Technical Education programs.
“Computer science and STEM education encourage children’s minds and help them to be better prepared to enter the workforce or continue their education after graduation. For the students in the Allentown School District and Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, this is truly exciting news,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “I want to thank my fellow Allentown colleagues for collaborating to secure this funding and Governor Shapiro for recognizing the importance of STEM and CTE education for the children in our community.”
“I am excited to see students in Allentown and across our region will have access to world-class learning opportunities in our community,” said Schlossberg. “The world is changing dramatically, with education in STEM and computer science is driving a lot of the change. We owe our kids access to the tools and experiences they need to thrive.”
“Investing in our future leaders is one of the smartest and most virtuous investments that any society can make,” said Siegel. “When we make these investments, we are helping ensure that they are as prepared as they can possibly be to lead our commonwealth, our nation, and our world into the best and brightest future, and I was proud to have worked alongside my colleagues to secure this funding for our community.”
“Investing in CTE and STEM education opportunities provides students with a competitive advantage in their future careers while, importantly, acknowledging that success after graduation doesn’t follow just one path,” said Miller. “This $450,000 grant for Allentown School District will expand access to training to meet industry needs, equipping them with real world skills that open doors to successful careers. With this investment, ASD will launch innovative projects, enhance existing programs and build opportunities that will shape students’ futures and the community for generations to come.”
Allentown School District will use the funding for planned innovative projects to expand access to CTE (career and technical education) computer science and STEM experiences for both students and adults.
The Lehigh Career and Technical Institute will use its funding to support collaboration between schools and a local or regional CTE provider or will help communities design and plan local and/or reginal approaches to expanding CTE education in STEM and computer science.