Governor Wolf Announces New Apprenticeship Programs for CVS Health and Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Press Release

Governor Tom Wolf announced today the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry's (L&I) Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) has approved two new apprenticeship programs in Bucks and Montgomery counties.

"Businesses across the commonwealth need employees who are trained for a 21st century economy," said Governor Wolf. "Creating new apprenticeships provides employers with a new talent pipeline while helping job seekers gain the valuable skills they need to obtain family-sustaining jobs."

The ATO recently approved a Retail Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship program for CVS Health. This new apprenticeship is a first step to other career pathways within the company and was developed in response to a need for pharmacy technicians.

"As the skills gap in the U.S. widens, CVS Health recognizes the important role apprenticeships, which offer on-the-job training with classroom instruction, play in building a pipeline of future skilled talent," said David Casey, vice president, workforce strategies and chief diversity officer for CVS Health. "Our new registered apprenticeship program will provide an opportunity for people in Bucks and Montgomery counties, and across Pennsylvania, to discover a meaningful career in pharmacy."

Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 recently received approval for the occupation of Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) from the ATO. The RBT is primarily responsible for implementation of behavior-analytic services for patients.

"The Wolf administration's PAsmart initiative realigns the commonwealth's workforce development system from K-12 education through career programs so students and workers gain the critical skills they need," said L&I Secretary Jerry Oleksiak. "Making additional investments in proven job creation programs like apprenticeships, ensures that employers have access to work-ready talent pipeline of highly-skilled employees."

Governor Wolf established the ATO in 2016 to support and expand registered apprenticeship programs statewide. The office provides outreach, education, and technical support to current and prospective apprenticeship program sponsors and apprentices.

Since the ATO launched, 92 new apprenticeship programs have been created with 2,917 new apprentices, bringing the total number of registered programs to 759 and the total number of registered apprentices to 15,199 statewide.

Approved through the ATO, apprenticeship programs are used to provide employer-driven training to create a more productive, diverse, highly-skilled workforce for employers and help reduce employee turnover. The program provides job seekers with increased skills, and a nationally recognized credential to support future career advancement and increased wages.

For more information about pursuing an education and career in Pennsylvania at any stage of life, visit PAsmart.

Visit ATO for more information about apprenticeship programs and the Apprenticeship and Training Office.

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