Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh, a city with a rich history in the steel industry and trade union movement, has been designated by the White House as a workforce development hub. This designation brings new opportunities and challenges for the city's labour market, particularly in the healthcare and construction sectors.
The University of Pittsburgh, one of the city's major employers, is a symbol of Pittsburgh's commitment to education and workforce development. The Cathedral of Learning, an iconic structure on the university's campus, represents the city's dedication to progress and innovation.
Coalition for Change
Recent discussions with academics from the School of Social Work, who conducted the Pittsburgh Wage Study, reveal a growing coalition aimed at improving working conditions and wages for low-wage workers, especially in healthcare. The first report of this study was published in December 2015, highlighting the urgent need for better wages and working conditions in the hospital workforce.
Infrastructure and Robotics
While the healthcare sector is a focal point, the construction industry has also seen significant developments. Although it hasn't benefited as directly from the Build Back Better grant as the robotics sector has, the construction industry is poised for growth due to the bipartisan infrastructure deal. This deal addresses the city's ageing infrastructure, with both political parties recognising the need for substantial improvements.
Stakeholder Engagement
During a recent visit to Pittsburgh, heads of workforce development boards, trade unions, employee groups, employers, and local government officials were consulted. Despite substantial federal infrastructure spending, workforce challenges remain. Organisations like Literacy Pittsburgh are crucial in providing English language skills to foreign-born residents, while the Training Hub delivers government-sponsored training for healthcare and direct care services.
Integrated Solutions Needed
A consensus emerged that a joined-up solution involving all relevant stakeholders is essential. Workforce development boards, local government, employer groups, and employee groups must collaborate to create a coherent short and medium-term strategy for workforce development.
Immigrant Integration
There is a growing awareness that more efforts are needed to integrate the immigrant population into the workforce. Workforce development actors have acknowledged the importance of investing in this area to address potential challenges.
Focus on Healthcare and Construction
The Activating Employees Project is particularly concerned with the healthcare and construction sectors. While the construction sector benefits from federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage laws and a clear career path through trade unions, the healthcare sector faces significant challenges. Improving wages, job security, job quality, and representation for healthcare workers remains a critical issue.
As Pittsburgh continues to evolve as a workforce development hub, the city must address these challenges and leverage its historical strengths to build a brighter future for its workforce.