Rep. Summer Lee Celebrates $450,000 in Federal Funding for Trade Institute of Pittsburgh’s New Transitional Jobs Program
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 21, 2025 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) joined the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (TIP) to celebrate $450,000 in federal community project funding that she and former Senator Bob Casey secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to launch TIP’s new transitional jobs program, TIPX. As part of the event, Rep. Lee presented TIP leadership and the TIPX crew with a large ceremonial check to mark the federal investment and highlight the impact it will have on Pittsburgh workers.
TIPX is a new transitional jobs initiative by the Trade Institute that hires students who graduate from their core masonry and carpentry programs and employs them so they can receive additional training and assistance in overcoming any barrier keeping them from long-term employment. TIPX participants will earn family-sustaining wages, build professional skills, and complete hands-on community revitalization projects—including building and renovating homes to address the regional housing shortage.
“I am proud to have helped secure $450,000 in federal funding for the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh’s new TIPX program,” said Rep. Lee. “Too often, workers finish their training only to find the doors to opportunity still shut. TIPX changes that. With this investment, graduates can step straight into paid work, keep earning while they keep learning, and rebuild our communities brick by brick. When we invest in working people, we invest in the future of our entire region, and I’ll keep fighting to bring more resources home so everyone in PA-12 has a fair shot at a good-paying, stable job.”
Executive Director of TIP, Donta Green, praised the support: “TIPX is a game changer for our students and the companies they go on to work for. This investment will allow us to grow our program and help increase our success in helping the most vulnerable in our community.”
The celebratory event, hosted at TIP’s headquarters in Homewood, featured remarks from elected officials and community partners, as well as a ceremonial check presentation recognizing the federal investment in TIPX. The total cost of the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh Social Enterprise is $1,800,000. $450,000 (25%) is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration grant. The other $1,350,000 (75%) is funded through non-governmental resources. It was awarded on June 26, 2026. The award number is #25A60CP000435-01-00 and the FAIN is #25A60CPCP000435.
About the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (TIP)
The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (TIP) is a non-profit organization providing tuition-free training opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment and those who need additional holistic support to begin their careers. Students learn core masonry and carpentry skills and participate in career readiness, life coaching, financial wellness, and math. Graduates are matched with a good-paying job upon graduation and have access to ongoing support and continuing education through TIP’s flourishing Alumni Program.
TIP is located in the Homewood community of Pittsburgh. Founded in 2013, the Trade Institute has engaged and empowered over 800 men and women throughout Allegheny County to meet a growing need for skilled tradespeople. TIP is on track to graduate and employ 127 students in 2025 earning an average of $20+ per hour.
Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Accountability and the Committee on Education and Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, she has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs. Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 3,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.