The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) invites college and technical training program students to apply for financial support through Project RECONNECT to help them complete their unfinished degree, certification or training program. The program will end after the spring semester.

CCEDC is administering the cross-county collaboration and invites students from southeastern Pennsylvania who have faced unforeseen challenges in completing their education to apply at https:\ccedcpa.comreconnect as soon as possible so they can enroll for in-person and online programs that may start as soon as this winter. Project RECONNECT funds can assist any students pursuing high-priority occupations in the state of Pennsylvania, especially career pathways in health care fields.

Since the program launched on June 1, 2023, CCEDC has enrolled 63 students, seven of whom had graduated as of December 2023. The students have enrolled in schools including Chestnut Hill College, Delaware County Community College, Harcum College, Montgomery County Community College, Peirce College, Penn State University and West Chester University.

Among the students who have participated in the program is Spencer D., who studied education at Delaware County Community College and graduated in December 2023. Prior to taking part in Project RECONNECT, Spencer had been struggling to afford college.

To be considered for Project RECONNECT, students must have disengaged from their postsecondary education programs in the past two years, have a GPA of 2.0, and have less than one year left for a certification credential, associate degree or bachelor's degree. Each student will be assigned a Success Navigator who will provide a safety net and coaching from day one through completion of credentials, ensuring participation, support, and career development to obtain employment. Once the student's learning program is completed, CCEDC will connect him or her with employers as well as workforce development programs like PA CareerLink and CCEDC's Health Care Connect and Hire One programs to ensure the graduate is career ready.

The Chester County Workforce Development Board is the fiscal agent for the Project RECONNECT grant awarded to the Workforce Development Boards of Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) is a private, nonprofit economic development organization promoting smart growth in Chester County and the surrounding region for 60 years. For more information, visit https://ccedcpa.com/.