Gov. Josh Shapiro’s second TV and digital ad of the general election campaign features a Western Pennsylvania man who says he benefited from the administration’s investments in apprenticeship programs.
“I knew college wasn’t for me, but I didn’t know my options. I felt stuck,” the worker, identified only as Ryan of Beaver, says in the 30-second ad, which begins airing across the state Wednesday.
“Then I found out about apprenticeships. Turns out, Pennsylvania has over 250 new apprenticeship programs thanks to Gov. Josh Shapiro,” the worker continues, adding that he now has a job, owns a truck and is saving up for a home.
Shapiro’s administration has held several events this spring highlighting investments in career and technical education. The administration says it has boosted funding for career and technical education by $65 million, or nearly 50%, since Shapiro took office in 2023, resulting in an additional 3,000 students enrolling in such classes statewide.
Shapiro, a Democrat from Montgomery County, is seeking a second term as governor. He is facing state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican from Bradford County, in the November election.
The amount spent to run the new ad statewide, including in the Pittsburgh TV market, wasn’t immediately available.
Shapiro’s first ad, released last week, highlighted the state’s universal free breakfast program for public school students.
Shapiro has a sizable campaign war chest to reach into for the statewide ads. As of May 4, Shapiro’s campaign had $37.8 million in available cash compared to Garrity’s $1.4 million, filings show.
This story will be updated.