Pittsburgh Review

Gov. Tom Wolf announced that $100,000 will be used for Catalyst Connection in an effort to enhance the manufacturing workforce across the southwestern part of Pennsylvania.

The funds were made possible through the state’s Manufacturing Training-to-Career (MTTC) program, a news release from the governor's office said this week. The funds were made possible through the state’s Manufacturing Training-to-Career program, which focuses on teaching essential skills to potential entry-level employees seeking a future in the manufacturing field.

Catalyst Connection is a private not-for-profit organization in Pittsburgh that works with small manufacturers in training and consulting. The funds are for the Essential Skills for Manufacturing entry-level training program, which will involve training 20 future manufacturing employees to have the skills needed to enter the workforce.

“Catalyst Connection is pleased to be working closely with DCED [Department of Community and Economic Development] to expand training programs to support the expansion and hiring needs of small and medium sized manufacturers in southwestern Pennsylvania,” Petra Mitchell, CEO of Catalyst Connection, said in the release. “With these funds, we will be able to expand our pre-employment training programs and help another 20 workers prepare for and secure family-sustaining manufacturing jobs.”

In the program, participating employers will provide feedback about entry-level skill requirements with no experience. 

Wolf noted that since the start of his time in office, he and his administration have been committed to investing in these types of programs to help job seekers find the employment that is right for them.

“Since day one, my administration has been committed to investing in valuable training programs like ESM that create direct pathways to connect job seekers with permanent employment,” he said in the release. “This new funding will help entry-level workers in southwestern Pennsylvania get the crucial skills they need to successfully enter the job market.” 

Since the Manufacturing PA Initiative was created in October 2017, it has funded 88 projects and invested more than $18.5 million through MTTC.