Pittsburgh's New Apprenticeship Finds Ways To Diversify It's Workforce

For years the city of Pittsburgh has struggled to find any consistent solution for diversifying its workforce. Now with the introduction of the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s new apprenticeship program, the region will focus on introducing the apprenticeship model throughout the area with an emphasis on skilled trades for minorities and women.

The program was funded using seed money from a state grant given to them through R.K. Mellon Foundation as well as contributions from council members and the nonprofit known as Fortyx80. In addition to traditional methods of advertising through the tech council, the agency also participates in direct outreach through facilities like Monessen Public Library to recruit participants.

"There's no reason this apprenticeship program can't work for tech jobs. How is someone who has been disconnected going to go through a program like this with no pay?" she added. "We're taking all of the barriers away."

Audrey Russo, CEO of Pittsburgh Technology Council

The program has also identified a few initial problems that participants may experience as it's not an easy commute from a place like Monessen to Pittsburgh so the agency has looked into what it can do to help ease transportation concerns. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has also said it will continue to work with the program to see what the state might be able to do to help address this problem.

Any interested participants are required to take a basic skills test where they will have three chances to score an 80% or above. If accepted, they will then go on to complete a 12- to 16-week boot camp before they begin their formal apprenticeship, where they must be paid a minimum of 60% of what their job would normally pay. The training will also be covered by the council. The program hopes to train at least 100 every year to help them land a good-paying jobs.