Bucks County Awarded $1.3M To Help Job Seekers Obtain Degrees

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Bucks County Department of Workforce and Economic Development (WED) has been awarded a $1.33 million Near Completer Grant from the state Department of Labor & Industry (L&I).

Under the grant, Bucks County job seekers close to graduating with a post-secondary degree or certificate will be able to gain their credentials, immediately enter the job market, and earn a living wage in a high priority or in-demand occupation.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) supports the initiative by providing individuals with the necessary training, credentials, and skills to be successful across an array of occupations.

“An investment of this type is a win-win for our local workforce and the employers who hire them,” said Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie. “This program creates a talent pipeline of highly skilled individuals interested in pursuing the most in-demand positions Bucks County employers are eager to fill now and well into the future.”

WED will partner with Bucks County Community College (BCCC) and Delaware Valley University (DelVal) to implement the newly-funded rapid credential attainment program to serve individuals who started credentialing with a post-secondary institution of higher education within the last two years but had to stop before completing. Individuals can re-enroll and receive the tuition assistance needed to continue their education under the provision that they complete their course of study by June 30, 2024.

“In tandem with a wide range of services through BCCC and DelVal, PA CareerLink Bucks County will provide supportive services to participants,” said Billie Barnes, Executive Director of WED. “These comprehensive resources, paired with career guidance from dedicated staff, best position re-enrolled students to achieve their education and training goals.”

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings for someone with some college but no degree was $877 in 2020 compared to $938 for someone with an associate degree. Concurrently, the unemployment rate dropped from 8.3 percent to 7.1 percent when someone had an associate degree. Data indicates that with post-secondary education, wages rise, and unemployment drops.

For more information about Bucks County’s rapid credential attainment program or to obtain a list of eligibility criteria, contact PA CareerLink Bucks County at 267-580-3501, TTY relay dial 711, or email info@buckscareerlink.org.

The Bucks County Department of Workforce and Economic Development (WED) works to ensure that the local workforce system, covering numerous agencies and multiple disciplines, meets both employers’ needs for skilled workers and workers’ career and economic advancement. It oversees and coordinates one-stop services that support employment and training through PA CareerLink Bucks County. For more information, visit www.buckscounty.gov.