A 2018 report by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development predicted a potential worker shortfall of 80,000 by 2025 due to retirements and slow job creation. These projections intensify the need to focus on systemic changes in career preparation in the K-12 educational system, and to target training opportunities to incumbent and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) workers who have persistently lower median yearly earnings and higher levels of unemployment. Technology is reshaping virtually every occupation at a rapid rate, changing the skills students must have and driving the need for continuous upskilling of incumbent workers. Additionally, all workers will need to increase their digital fluency and acquire "soft" skills such as communications, problem-solving and customer service.
We are specifically interested in activities that:
- Offer entry-level and advanced technology training with career potential for women and BIPOC individuals.
- Support partnerships where employers have helped develop training curriculum and industry recognized credentials, are invested in and committed to training and hiring diverse talent for a variety of occupations, and provide career advancement support and opportunity.
- Support collaboration between the public workforce system, industry partners and school districts to update and implement state mandated K-12 career readiness standards and curriculum.
| GRANT CYCLE | APPLICATION DEADLINES |
|---|---|
| Spring grant cycle | Feb. 26, 2024 by 5 p.m. (for funding decision by June 6.) |
| Fall grant cycle | July 11, 2024 by 5 p.m. (for funding decision by Oct 30.) |
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CONTACT:
Joshua Devine Economic Mobility Officer, Economic and Community Development devinej [at] pghfdn.org (devinej[at]pghfdn[dot]org) |
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