Expanding Pathways to New Economy Careers - Build Back Better Regional Challenge
As a part of the Southwest Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative, the Block Center is playing a central role in establishing a highly coordinated, regional upskilling system serving the regional robotics and advanced manufacturing fields, opening up a range of training options outside of traditional four-year and advanced degrees, and ensuring that programs evolve based on industry needs.
The Block Center announced the first portfolio of annual subawards for projects leading or supporting skills-focused training programs that help Southwestern Pennsylvanians secure jobs in robotics and advanced manufacturing in our region.
2023 Block Build Back Better Subaward Recipients:
- “Bridging the Gap Between Education and Talent” – Pittsburgh Technology Council/Fortyx80
- “Pittsburgh Gateways Corp/CorePower Job Training Program” – Pittsburgh Gateways
- “Essentials of Robotics: Short-Term Certificate Program” – Justin Starr, Community College of Allegheny County
- “Providing Robotics Skills Training to Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Program” – New Century Careers
- “Manufacturing Career Readiness Curriculum Pilot” – Catalyst Connection
- “Growth Mindset Training for and in the Labor Market” – Ashley Orr, CMU Heinz College
- “AI Tech Training” – Vu Nguyen, CMU Robotics Academy
- "Machine Learning Augmented Youth Welding Training Support from Ideation, Planning, to Manufacturing" - Dina El-Sanfaly, CMU School of Design & Daragh Byrne, CMU School of Architecture
- “New Bridges to the Digital Economy” – Lee Branstetter, CMU Heinz College
The programs will leverage cutting-edge research and collaboration between the education and business communities– including regional universities as well as community colleges – to develop, test and scale technologies and training interventions particularly suitable to removing barriers to access and success for disadvantaged and underrepresented populations. In addition, they will aim to equip regional education and training providers with highly relevant and quality curricula, teaching capabilities, technology, technological knowhow and industry connections to ensure their training adequately serves the needs of the robotics and AI cluster.