Pennsylvania, Germany to collaborate on economic development, apprenticeships

The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development says the agreement "outlines four key areas of collaboration to promote economic development, workforce development, and intergovernmental cooperation."

This includes strengthening apprenticeships, career and technical education, and vocational and professional education and training.

Germany will also focus on supporting German companies that employ Pennsylvanians and aim to reach populations that are underrepresented in high-quality apprenticeship programs.

"This Joint Declaration reaffirms Pennsylvania's commitment to strengthening our relationship with Germany and establishes a real framework for deeper collaboration so we can share best practices and expand access to apprenticeships and CTE initiatives that will open up the doors of real opportunity for thousands of Pennsylvanians," said Governor Shapiro. "Germany – like Pennsylvania – has a proud history of investing in their workforce and preparing their young people to succeed in a wide variety of careers. My Administration looks forward to working with our German counterparts to learn from their successes and expand upon the work we've already done to grow our workforce here in Pennsylvania."

There are 180 German-owned businesses with 747 locations in Pennsylvania, which employ 36,000 people, according to the Department of Community & Economic Development.

In April, the King and Queen of the Netherlands joined Shapiro in Philadelphia to highlight economic ties between Pennsylvania and the Netherlands.

Monday's meeting was the governor's latest step in international relations, following his visit to Ontario in June to sign a Memorandum of Understanding "to increase collaboration, spur economic growth, and attract investment."