Innovation District Skills Alliance, a Transformative New Program for Job Seekers and Employers, Launches in Pittsburgh Innovation District
InnovatePGH, Jewish Family and Community Services, local universities, and philanthropic partners are launching the Innovation District Skills Alliance (IDSA) this month. IDSA creates career pathways for high-barrier residents from neighborhoods surrounding Oakland, such as the Hill District, Hazelwood, and Homewood, to support inclusive growth of the Pittsburgh Innovation District.
By training participants directly in the skills needed for a selected position and providing them with supportive services, graduates of this program are connected to lucrative positions within local universities and companies.
“It is critically important that job-seekers be connected to employment within our universities which largely provide family-sustaining wages, benefits, and union opportunities that can be transformative for individuals,” said Lindsay Powell, director of workforce strategies at InnovatePGH.
Applications are now open, and anyone can apply. Each applicant will be screened for their interest in the position, ability to complete the programming and compatibility with the job credentials. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and can be found here. This inaugural cohort will hire lab care technicians within the University of Pittsburgh.
"This program is exciting for Pittsburgh. It's an opportunity for communities with barriers to access and entry into university jobs to have a pipeline into those jobs," said Becky Johnson, Director of JFCS Career Development Center. "IDSA will give people a way to bring a job back to their family and community. It will provide stability and benefits. And it's going to provide upward mobility and opportunity in terms of their career trajectory. We're excited to see how this helps these individuals and our community thrive."
Those who are selected will be placed in a small cohort of learners where they will take courses and workshops five days a week to prepare them for a specific career at a local university. Each cohort will be trained exclusively for one position which will be clearly advertised and described in the application. Current opportunities include training for lab care technicians, security guards, and security dispatchers.
The University of Pittsburgh is participating as an employer partner for the first cohort of learners, and is "excited to partner in this program to leverage new talent for the University of Pittsburgh!"
Participants are paid a stipend during their four-week training program and given additional support as needed, such as transportation stipends and child care assistance.
“We are excited to reintroduce this exciting program back to Oakland to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to be a part of the growth of our Innovation District”, said Sean C. Luther, executive director of InnovatePGH.