Rep. Bryan Cutler announced on April 6 that he has introduced a new bipartisan proposal, the PA WORKS (Workforce, Opportunity, Retention, and Knowledge Scholarship) program, which aims to provide scholarships for students pursuing skilled trades in Pennsylvania.
The initiative seeks to address workforce needs by helping more students access post-secondary education in high-demand fields. Under the proposed program, businesses could use tax credits to fund scholarships for students enrolled in qualifying programs at Pennsylvania-based institutions.
“Throughout my time in the state Legislature, I have always committed myself to supporting our students who want to work in the trades,” Cutler said. “My bipartisan proposal, the PA WORKS program, would reduce the financial barriers students face when pursuing technical and professional degrees in the trades. Long term, this would expand access to careers that offer sustainable wages and long-term economic opportunity for individuals from all backgrounds.”
House Bill 2308 is currently awaiting action in the House Education Committee. According to the official website, Cutler has supported measures such as funding trauma centers in rural areas and championed legislation leading to Act 164 of 2012 focused on fraud detection within energy assistance programs. He also served as Republican chairman of the House Education Committee according to his official website.
Cutler was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2006 according to his official website. His continued efforts include supporting funding for new trauma centers throughout rural Pennsylvania as reported by his official website.
The proposed scholarship program represents another step by Cutler toward expanding educational opportunities and addressing workforce challenges across different regions of Pennsylvania.
