American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Information

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is intended to preserve and create jobs, promote the nation’s economic recovery and assist those most impacted by the recession. As the nation begins the process of putting people back to work, it is the responsibility of government to ensure that the ARRA funds are utilized in the most effective way. Transparency, accountability and outcomes are paramount to the success of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and our nation as a whole. The Recovery Act funds aimed at workforce development will reach the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County in two ways; first, through an allocation process using federal Workforce Investment Act criteria (shown below), and secondly through a competitive grants process.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY
  
CITY OF PITTSBURGH
WIA FUNDING STREAM

2009 ARRA ALLOCATION
WIA FUNDING STREAM
2009 ARRA ALLOCATION
Adult
$851,231
 Adult
$504,888
Dislocated Worker
$800,194
 Dislocated Worker
$1,010,978
Youth
$1,879,062
 Youth
$1,493,198
TOTAL:
$3,530,487
TOTAL:
$3,009,064

The bulk of youth dollars is for summer work experiences and will be spent in summer 2009.
The adult and dislocated worker funds will increase significantly the numbers of people who can receive assistance with the cost of training. Individuals and companies interested in learning more can contact the Pittsburgh/Allegheny County CareerLink network at 412-552-
7100 or check the TRWIB website (http://www.trwib.org) for any Request-for-Proposals for services that the City or County may issue for training.

For additional information contact: Samson Murage at 412-552-7099 or smurage@trwib.org.


Local ARRA Plans

Local Workforce Investment Area Strategy: Allegheny County Workforce Investment Area

Local Workforce Investment Area Strategy: City of Pittsburgh Workforce Investment Area


Green jobs:

In support of the efforts of the County Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, TRWIB is convening a number of organizations to discuss and develop plans for emerging “green jobs”. In short, TRWIB is working with GSP Consulting, GTECH, and the Green Building Alliance to better define the occupations that are most likely to see growth as a result of increased training funds. That report is being finalized and will be on the TRWIB website (http://www.trwib.org) in the near future. The group has expressed the following as important values in the work ahead:

  • Certifications
  • Identifying career/occupational pathways
  • Increasing skill paths that lead to family sustaining wages
  • Long lasting employment/ transferrable skills
  • Providing an understanding and place at which people can refer to so that they are aware of the opportunities and ladders so that long lasting employment is achievable
  • Preparedness of those who enter onto career ladders

For information about the Green Jobs Advisory Board, contact: Micah Frankenfield at 412-552-7087 or mfrankenfield@trwib.org.

 
Additional ARRA Web sites: