Students from Allentown’s Bridgeview Academy of Health, Science, Innovation and Technology are set to benefit from a $250,000 state grant that will expand Lehigh Valley Health Network’s workforce development program Health Care Futures.
The Schools-to-Work Program grant from the state Department of Labor & Industry will “expand career exposure and job placement support” for Bridgeview students and help develop an allied health curriculum for grades 9-12.
“This investment is a huge win for both Allentown School District and for Lehigh Valley Hospital to prepare students with the necessary professional skills to transition from schoolwork to the workforce,” state Rep. Peter Schweyer said in a news release. “Today’s announcement is a perfect example of the partnerships the Schools-to-Work Program is designed to create with businesses and school districts and I would like to congratulate the educators and administrators who are working tirelessly on this investment to empower our students and strengthen our local economy.”
Allentown School District Superintendent Carol Birks called the grant a “transformative investment.”
“By strengthening our partnership with Lehigh Valley Hospital, we are ensuring that our students don’t just learn about the medical field in a classroom, they are able to experience it firsthand,” Birks said in a news release. “This collaboration provides a direct pathway to high-demand careers, empowering our youth with the technical skills and professional mentorship needed to lead as the next generation of health care professionals.”
State Sen. Nick Miller said the Health Care Futures program will connect Bridgeview students to “family-sustaining careers” in health care.
“With this $250,000 investment secured by my office, we are equipping students with the skills, experience, and confidence to build lasting careers, strengthen our local workforce, and serve our community for years to come,” Miller said in a news release.