Rep. Summer Lee, Mayor Gainey, and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su Highlight Federal Investment in Pittsburgh Workforce Hub
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
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Rep. Summer Lee, Mayor Gainey, and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su Highlight Federal Investment in Pittsburgh Workforce Hub
Pittsburgh, PA – On October 31, Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) joined Mayor Ed Gainey, Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, White House Domestic Policy Council Director Neera Tanden, and local leaders from Partner4Work to celebrate the expansion of Pittsburgh’s Workforce Hub, a pivotal initiative to connect local residents, especially those from underserved communities, to good-paying, union jobs. The event underscored how more than $2.3 billion in federal Investing in America funds have already fueled
Pittsburgh’s economy through initiatives in infrastructure, clean energy, and manufacturing.
The Pittsburgh Workforce Hub represents the power of federal-local partnerships to create an “opportunity infrastructure” in the city—making good jobs accessible to communities who have historically been locked out of these pathways. Key announcements at the event highlighted the collaborative efforts to operationalize the Pittsburgh Good Jobs Principles, ensuring that public investments benefit local residents, particularly disadvantaged workers, through meaningful career opportunities in the Pittsburgh region.
“Today’s announcements show what we can accomplish when federal investments meet local vision. Pittsburgh is leading the way in building a city where every resident, no matter their background, has access to the dignity of a good-paying job” said Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12). “This workforce hub, the Regional Workforce Equity Agreement, and the 4Construction program are laying the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive Pittsburgh—one that gives Black, brown, and working-class folks the opportunities they deserve. With over $2.3 billion in federal funding already driving our city forward, we’re showing the nation that equitable growth is possible when we work together. Pittsburgh is setting the standard, and I couldn’t be prouder to stand with our partners in this transformative work.”
“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,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. 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.”
“We are not just proving that the Opportunity Infrastructure is a plausible idea; through our Workforce Hub collaboration with Mayor Gainey’s administration and local partners, we are making it real for Pittsburgh’s working people from all backgrounds and zip codes,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “With more than $2.3 billion in federal investments to Pittsburgh so far, we’re building and investing in people and in the workforce training and supportive services required to have an economy that includes everyone, particularly those who have been shut out for far too long.”
Key Announcements Include:
- Regional Workforce Equity Agreement (RWEA):
- The City of Pittsburgh and several public agencies, including the Housing Authority and URA, are committed to increasing the participation of disadvantaged workers on public construction projects. The finalized agreement, expected by the end of the year, will set regulations for rollout in the 2025 construction season, ensuring equitable access to quality jobs for local residents.
- Expansion of the 4Construction Program:
- Partner4Work’s 4Construction program will expand to the Lower Hill’s Live Nation venue construction site, where PJ Dick (general contractor) will host a pre-apprenticeship cohort. The program offers training opportunities and pathways to construction careers, particularly for women and people of color. Participants will receive hands-on experience and classroom training, positioning them for future roles in Pittsburgh’s construction projects.
- Workforce Readiness/Supportive Services Pilot:
- A new collaboration between the Mayor’s Office, philanthropy, and community partners aims to build a coordinated network to support Pittsburgh’s disadvantaged workers. This pilot will provide case management and supportive services to help residents access training, apprenticeship programs, and ultimately, good jobs in Pittsburgh.
About the Pittsburgh Workforce Hub
The Pittsburgh Workforce Hub is part of a broader initiative under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. Through federal, state, and local partnerships, the hub supports job creation and workforce development, focusing on communities historically excluded from economic growth. As Pittsburgh operationalizes the Pittsburgh Good Jobs Principles, this initiative serves as a model for inclusive economic growth, helping to bridge the gap between employers and underrepresented workers across the region.
Since taking office in January 2023, Lee, who serves on the House Oversight Committee and Space, Science and Technology Committee, has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2 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 2,780 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.