Shown is a screenshot from the current version of Cube Cut, a mobile game being developed to direct potential apprentices to manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania. The game's developers are getting $158,735 in state funding to market and further develop another game that would be used as practice materials for people training to take mechanical aptitude tests.

New cell phone games are hoped to connect potential apprentices with manufacturing companies in places like Butler County.

Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development is giving $158,735 for the development and marketing of a mobile game to aid aspirational machinists. The grant funding was announced Monday by Governor Tom Wolf's office. The game is being developed by Simcoach Games in connection with Catalyst Connection, which is the recipient of the DCED grant money.

Both Simcoach and Catalyst are Pittsburgh-based, but they've already looked north to Butler County for help. Ken Eck, the communications manager for precision manufacturing company Oberg Industries, said Simcoach's team has already worked with their staff to build games that double as training and recruitment efforts.

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