Area manufacturers will be getting a little help filling certain positions.

Workforce Solutions for North Central PA was awarded $200,000 to develop an internship program for area manufacturers. Gov. Wolf announced the funding award on Tuesday, saying that it was made available through Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Training-to-Career (MTTC) program.

According to a press release on the award, Workforce Solutions will launch the program “to help address regional manufacturing employers’ difficulty in finding a skilled workforce to fill entry level and skilled positions.”

The program aims to provide opportunities for 50 interns from high schools, colleges and technical schools at 50 different manufacturing employers. The program will also teach students about the careers available in area industries.

Workforce Solutions for North Central PA is based in Kersey and serves a six-county region.

“We are so excited to be able to provide this internship opportunity to the manufacturing companies in our region, including the counties of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter,” said Pam Streich, interim executive director of Workforce Solutions.

“The internship program will assist companies with recruiting for current and future job openings and in attracting interns to stay here to work, live, and discover North Central Pennsylvania,” Streich explained. “Interns will receive a quality internship in addition to an introduction to the manufacturing industry, awareness of career pathways in the industry, as well as being exposed to all that our region has to offer. We are grateful to the Department of Community and Economic Development for this opportunity.”

The MTTC program works with manufacturers to identify essential skills and helps to prepare applicants including students or people with barriers to career opportunities to seek entry level positions.

“Pennsylvania’s history is rooted in manufacturing and industry opportunity awareness and training play a major role in maintaining that historic strength while supporting growth,” said Wolf. “As the industry continues to expand, more companies are looking to hire, and this funding helps prepare job seekers for obtaining good-paying careers in the manufacturing industry.”

The state also awarded $300,000 to Rhoads Industries on Tuesday for a regional workforce development pilot program in Southeastern Pennsylvania.