Sustainable Pittsburgh selected for clean energy workforce initiative

Sustainable Pittsburgh wants Southwestern Pennsylvania to be a leader in the growing field for clean jobs.

The Downtown Pittsburgh-based nonprofit has been selected by Jobs for the Future as a Quality Green Jobs Regional Challenge Member.

The organization will join other groups across the country to prepare individuals for climate-resilient jobs.

“This is an opportunity for our region to really embrace the coming growth of clean energy industries and meet that demand for an appropriately trained workforce,” said Joylette Portlock, executive director of Sustainable Pittsburgh.

“Clean energy industries are growing,” Portlock said. “Tens of thousands of these jobs already exist across the commonwealth and there’s a massive opportunity as these industries expand to engage workers who haven’t been engaged at the same levels — for disinvested communities across the region where folks haven’t seen that opportunity for engagement. So this is about addressing climate issues and social equity challenges.”

Portlock said clean energy jobs go beyond someone on a roof installing solar panels to include fields like electrical, construction, manufacturing and support services.

Sustainable Pittsburgh is collaborating with Partner4Work, a workforce development organization focused on Allegheny County.

“We have a vested interest in the provision of quality workforce development services for residents in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County,” shared Robert Cherry, Partner4Work CEO.

Mayor Ed Gainey’s office recently announced Partner4Work’s selection as the anchor institution for the White House Workforce Talent Hub Initiative. Pittsburgh is among five hubs across the county where resources will be directed to expand apprenticeship and career and technical education programs.

“The level of collaboration and partnership we see with groups like Sustainable Pittsburgh and Partner4Work underscore the reasons Pittsburgh is on the national radar for workforce development,” Gainey said in a statement.

The Quality Green Jobs Regional Challenge is part of an initiative by Climate-Resilient Employees for a Sustainable Tomorrow, a workforce initiative of the Ares Charitable Foundation.