Continuing a fruitful partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su paid another visit to the Steel City to announce three exciting commitments to build “Opportunity Infrastructure” here in Pittsburgh. The announcements build upon the work being achieved through the City and local partners adoption of the Pittsburgh Good Jobs Principles. Announced last Fall, over 50 employers, elected officials, unions, educational institutions, non-profits, philanthropy, public owners, and training providers, joined the City in adopting the principles to move the regions workforce forward in establishing equitable opportunities for all.

Primary to those announcements, was Mayor Gainey and the leadership of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP), and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) reaching agreement on core terms for a Regional Workforce Equity Agreement (RWEA). This significant step adds HACP and the URA to a growing list of public agencies that have made commitments to increase the participation of disadvantaged workers on construction projects with good jobs.

“We have made it our focus to center and to prioritize disadvantaged workers – those who are from under-represented neighborhoods, marginalized communities, and that face systemic barriers to employment. Having public agencies, the Housing Authority and URA commit to these efforts is a significant step forward for our region. This is how we ensure everyone is able to grow together and make the City of Pittsburgh a place where every resident is afforded the opportunity to thrive.” ~ Mayor Ed Gainey

The city also announced the launch of the “Pittsburgh Prosperity Project,” a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office, philanthropy, community partners, and Partner4Work to design and build a coordination network that will ensure that disadvantaged workers get the support they need. The goal: to remove barriers for employees, help them complete training, and obtain and retain equitable employment. The Project, supported by initial local commitments of $275,000 between The Heinz Endowments, McAuley Ministries, and Partner4Work, will launch in Spring 2025 with an initial pilot and then scale region wide.

Lastly, the City announced the expansion of the 4Construction Program to the first city site, the construction of the new music venue on the Lower Hill, in collaboration with Partner4Work, Intro to the Trades, and PJ Dick. PJ Dick committed to hiring local residents for open roles out of the program, where possible.

“Partner4Work is proud to continue to serve as the anchor institution to galvanize opportunities under Mayor Gainey and President Biden’s designation. We work to bring resources to catalyze public and private-sector investments in workers, particularly under-represented workers.” 

~ Rob Cherry, Partner4Work CEO

The leadership of the Hub is calling on other public owners to join the Regional Workforce Equity Agreement; local philanthropy to invest in this work; and additional employers, training providers, community partners, elected officials, educational institutions, and organized labor to commit to the Pittsburgh Good Jobs Principles and join us in this work.

Learn more about the great work of the Workforce Hub: White House Workforce Talent Hub | Engage Pittsburgh (Logged in)