Dear <<First Name>>:
Developing a skilled workforce – today and for the future – has been a top priority for the Allegheny Conference in our 2012-2014 agenda. And our members have told us that it needs to continue to be a top priority in the new three-year agenda which we will roll out on November 5 during our Annual Meeting. The 25,000 jobs open on
ImaginePittsburgh.com illustrate the challenge of the skills gap that already exists in our region and foreshadow an even bigger challenge as the Baby Boom generation retires over the course of the next 15 years or so.
Chevron Launches Regional STEM Partnership
Chevron Corporation has decided to do something about it. Last week, the company announced a new $20 million commitment to address education and workforce development needs in 27 counties across Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. I’m pleased to report that the Allegheny Conference is among the founding partners of the new Appalachia Partnership Initiative, along with the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and RAND Corporation. We plan to work together to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and further develop a highly-skilled workforce for energy and manufacturing industries throughout our region.
Securing the Future of ShaleNET
Among a number of initiatives, Chevron will work with ShaleNET, a workforce training program for the oil and natural gas industry that the Conference developed in partnership with Westmoreland County Community College and the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport. Chevron will provide scholarships to students at four community and technical colleges in the Tri-State region that will help to assure that the program will continue beyond the current $15 million in federal funding. The partnership will also develop integrated workforce education programs through curriculum resources, supply chain connections, post-secondary training programs and skilled trade certifications.
Chevron deserves a big thank you from everyone involved with the Allegheny Conference for stepping up to lead on this issue in such a big way. It will make a real difference for workers in our region and our economy as a whole.
You’re invited to November 18-19, 2014 Pittsburgh Forum on Veteran Employment;
Get connected to ready-to-work military veterans
As you may know, about a quarter million military veterans are returning to the U.S. every year, with thousands expected to return or relocate to the Pittsburgh region, joining the 200,000 veterans who already call Pittsburgh home.
ImaginePittsburgh.com – the online gateway to jobs and opportunity across our 10 counties – right now lists 25,000-plus openings, many of them well suited to the interests and skills of military personnel.
That’s why the Allegheny Conference is joining with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes program, Chevron, PNC, the Pittsburgh Steelers and a host of federal agencies – to sponsor the Pittsburgh Forum on Veteran Employment, November 18 and 19.
I encourage you to share this opportunity with your company’s human resource managers and recruiters.
The November 18 program at PNC Firstside is intended for employers to learn about best practices, tools and resources for reaching, recruiting and hiring military veterans. The November 19 event at Heinz Field combines morning panels on key industries with an afternoon career fair to meet and recruit veterans. It’s a great opportunity for a veteran employed at your company to partner with your recruiter and share perspectives about working in the Pittsburgh region, post-military service. The career fair runs from noon – 4:30 p.m.
Details about both days of the free Pittsburgh Forum on Veteran Employment can be found
here, including registration.
If you have questions about the event and how your company might benefit, please contact Virginia Deily at the Allegheny Conference, 412-281-4783, ext. 3108 or
vdeily@alleghenyconference.org.
Pittsburgh Region Data is now available On Demand
The Pittsburgh Regional Alliance is pleased to announce a new feature on its website –
Pittsburgh Region Data: On Demand. This new tool allows those considering business investment decisions to browse and select data from a comprehensive library and create customized PDF publications. You can check out On Demand
here.
Is Pittsburgh the New Austin?
Five years after the G-20 Summit brought the world to our region, we’ve really come of age. Pittsburgh’s been featured in a parody on a website called ClickHole.com called, “
Is Pittsburgh the new Austin?” The humorous piece juxtaposes the supposed self-importance of Austin and Portland against our region’s authenticity. Yes, the essay is decidedly tongue-in-cheek, but it’s an indication that there’s enough buzz about Pittsburgh today to make it worth making fun of. Not bad company to be in.
Hope to see you at the Annual Meeting at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday November 5, 2014 at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. If you haven’t RSVP’d, please do by emailing
events@alleghenyconference.org.
Thanks, as always, for your commitment our region and your support of the Allegheny Conference.
Sincerely,
Dennis Yablonsky
CEO, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
