MERCER, Pa. – The Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition has received a $22,000 grant from the May Emma Hoyt Foundation to fund stipends for Lawrence County high school students enrolled in the Advanced Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
“The May Emma Hoyt Foundation recognizes that, for many reasons, jobs in manufacturing are necessary in Lawrence County,” said Charles Y. Mansell, president of the May Emma Hoyt Foundation. “We are pleased to partner with LMMC to promote that training.”
The funding will be used exclusively to provide performance-based stipends to Lawrence County students participating in AMP, which is offered by Penn College of Technology and managed locally by Forward Lawrence.
The program combines 27 online ToolingU-SME lessons that prepare students to earn the Certified Manufacturing Associate credential with hands-on labs and plant tours. Students complete coursework at their schools and gather at a central Lawrence County location for lab experiences.
LMMC joined Forward Lawrence in the 2024-25 school year to help manage the program and provided approximately $26,000 from its PA Industry Partnership grant to support stipends and employer engagement.
During that period, 26 Lawrence County students enrolled, 22 completed the program and 13 earned the industry credential. Six secured manufacturing jobs. Others continued to their senior year, the military or other post-secondary education and training.