Catalyst Connection

Award Purpose Non-profit Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center for Southern Pennsylvania and the Greater Pittsburgh Area, Catalyst Connection, Will Work With Key Workforce Training, Workforce Development Board, Educational, and Manufacturing Industry Partners to Engage Advanced Manufacturing Employers, and to Recruit, Train, and Place 250 New and Upskilled Incumbent Workers in Advanced Manufacturing Technology Jobs. Key Goals Include: •confirm a Training Curriculum in the Fields of Additivemanufacturing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning,automation and Robotics, Cybersecurity, and Other Advancedmanufacturing Sectors, Provided by Training and Educationalinstitutions Including the Advanced Robotics Manufacturing(arm) Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Catalyst Connection,community College of Allegheny County, Digital Foundry / Pennstate at New Kensington, New Century Careers, and the U.s.advanced Manufacturing Partnership. •produce and Disseminate an Advanced Manufacturing &technology Workforce Training Guide for Trainees Andincumbent Workers to Learn About and Easily Access Workforcedevelopment Offerings in the Region. • Conduct an Outreach and Engagement Initiative to Reach Regional Manufacturing Employers Who Seek Talented Workers in These Advanced Manufacturing Fields, as Partners in Curriculum Development, On-the-job Training, Apprenticeships, and Placement. • Provide Customized Training Needs Assessments and Training Plans for 20 Selected Manufacturing Companies. • Recruit and Train 100 New Workers and Upskill 150 Incumbent Workers in These Advanced Manufacturing Sectors and Skills, and Place 80 New Workers and 135 Incumbents Into Higher Level Manufacturing Positions. • Produce and Evaluate Results of the Project, Lessons Learned, and Further Improvements Needed or Gaps Filled, Including in Other, Future Localities. Activities Performed Research Regional Training Curriculum Needs: • Research Manufacturing Employer Needs for Workers and Advanced Technology Skills via Surveys and Interviews • Inventory Existing Training Programs in Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Focused on Catalyst Industry 4.0 Training Resource Guide, and Map Existing Offerings Against Employer Needs • Identify Gaps in Existing Training Content, and Develop Additional Content to Meet Employer Needs • Create a Training Catalogue With in Demand Trainings, Training Providers and Logistics Engage Employers: • Establish and Implement Messaging Content and Communications Plan in Alignment With Employer Needs and Training Content and Share via Website, Emails and Social Media • Conduct Webinars and Outreach to Inform Employers and Community Partners on the Training Resources Available • Disseminate Training Guide and Communications via Regional Workforce Development Boards, Curriculum Partners, Training Partners (arm/cmu, N91, Penn State, New Century Careers)) and Other Workforce Development Organizations • Conduct Training Needs Assessment and Develop Training Plans for Workers and Job Seekers, on Behalf of Up to 20 Employers; Assure That Training Plans Meet Employer Needs for Hiring and Growth Recruit, Train & Place Workers: • Engage Employers to Implement Incumbent Worker Training Plans • Conduct Outreach and Recruitment With Training Recruits at High Schools, Community Colleges, Workforce Development Boards Supporting Dislocated or Unemployed Workers, and in Underserved Communities • Provide Job Counseling, Placement, and Upskilling Services, or Facilitate Such Services by Other Partners, to Maximize the Opportunities for Placement in Higher-skills and Higher-wage Jobs • Track and Monitor Metrics of Success in Trainee Recruitment, Employer Engagement, Trainees Taught, Subjects Taught, Jobs Created or Sustained, and Other Metrics of Progress and Success. Evaluate Project Milestones, Successes, and Challenges for Future Program Improvement and Potential Broader Deployment • Conduct Survey of Sample of Trainees, Evaluate Improvements for Future Rounds of Training • Conduct Survey of Engaged Employers on Results of Training Program, Improvements for Future Rounds of Training • Conduct Survey of Training Partners to Evaluate Results, Identify Improvements • Draft and Disseminate White Paper Report on Results, Progress, Innovations, Improvements for Future, and Remaining Gaps Deliverables Regional Worker Training Guidebook Established and Disseminated • 100 Employers Engaged • 20 Employers Receive Direct Worker Training Support • 100 New Workers Recruited & Trained, With 80 Placed in Skilled Jobs • 150 Incumbent Workers Recruited and Upskilled, With 135 Placed in Higher-skills Jobs • Plan for Further Expansion and Improvements of These Training Approaches Intended Beneficiary New Jobs Recruits, and Incumbent Manufacturing and Technology Workers in Southwestern Pennsylvania, With Focus on High School and Community College Students, Trainee Recruits in Low-income and Minority Neighborhoods, Workers Transitioning Out of Fossil Fuel Sectors, Veterans, Workers With Limited Educational Credentials, and Other Key Groups. Subrecipient Activities Neighborhood 91 Consultant Will Receive Dol Funding to Support Role in Establishing and Deploying New Training Model and Courses at Neighborhood 91. • Educational and Training Partners Will Receive Funding to Cover Training Costs of Students and Trainees Participating in Their Training Courses and Activities