Catalyst Connection

BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

CATALYST CONNECTION

CATALYST CONNECTION

AIM HIGHER CONSORTIUM WILL ADVANCE A ROBUST DEFENSE MANUFACTURING ECOSYSTEM THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN METALS&MANUFACTURING IN THE GREATER PITTSBURGH-WV REGION.

THIS EDA INVESTMENT SUPPORTS THE SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA (SWPA) NEW ECONOMY COLLABORATIVE, A COALITION OF THE REGION'S LEADING UNIVERSITY, PHILANTHROPIC, AND PRIVATE SECTOR LEADERS, WITH STRENGTHENING THE ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMY CLUSTER IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA BY ENSURING THAT ITS ECONOMIC BENEFITS EQUITABLY REACH RURAL AND COAL-IMPACTED COMMUNITIES IN THE 11-COUNTY REGION. THE FIVE PROJECTS FUNDED AS PART OF THIS AWARD INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR THE EXPANDED PATHWAYS TO NEW ECONOMY CAREERS TO GROW THE REGION'S EXISTING ROBOTICS AND AI-RELATED WORKFORCE TRAINING PORTFOLIO AND A SME ROBOTICS ADOPTION PROJECT TO SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION BY SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES. ONCE IMPLEMENTED, THE INVESTMENT WILL HELP DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN REGIONAL INDUSTRY CLUSTERS - ALL WHILE EMBRACING ECONOMIC EQUITY, CREATING GOOD-PAYING JOBS, AND ENHANCING U.S. COMPETITIVENESS GLOBALLY.

WORKFORCE TRAINING

AWARD PURPOSE:THE PURPOSE OF WORC ROUND 6 IS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO STABLE, HIGH-QUALITY, FAMILY-SUSTAINING JOBS FOR WORKERS IN THE APPALACHIAN, DELTA, AND NORTHERN BORDER REGIONS, INCLUDING THOSE IN CRITICAL SECTORS SUCH AS INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLEAN ENERGY. IMPROVING ACCESS TO THESE GOOD JOBS WILL ENABLE THESE WORKERS TO REMAIN WITHIN THEIR REGION. THIS FOCUS ALSO IS CONSISTENT WITH THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATIONS COMMITMENT TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY JOBS, AS DEFINED BY THE GOOD JOBS PRINCIPLES, A SHARED FEDERAL VISION OF JOB QUALITY PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR AND COMMERCE, AND THE RURAL PARTNERS NETWORK, AN ALL-OF-GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT CONNECTS RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH RESOURCES AND FUNDING TO CREATE JOBS, BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SUPPORT LONG-TERM ECONOMIC MOBILITY.ACTIVITIES PERFORMED:ALLOWABLE PROJECT ACTIVITIES FOR WORC ROUND 6 GRANT AWARD RECIPIENTS INCLUDE WORKFORCE TRAINING ACTIVITIES AND CAREER SERVICES, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, EMPLOYER SERVICES, STRATEGIC PLANNING ACTIVITIES, AND EQUIPMENT AND RENOVATION PURCHASES.DELIVERABLES:WORC ROUND 6 GRANT AWARD RECIPIENTS IDENTIFY THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS PROJECTED TO BE ENROLLED DURING THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE, AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS PROJECTED TO ENTER GOOD JOBS OR OBTAIN NEW OR ENHANCED EMPLOYMENT AS A RESULT OF THE PROJECT.SEE NOTICE OF AWARD, TERMS AND CONDITIONS, ATTACHMENT D, STATEMENT OF WORK, ABSTRACTINTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES):ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS FOR WORC ROUND 6 GRANT AWARDS INCLUDE: 1) NEW ENTRANTS TO THE WORKFORCE: FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS FOA, THE CATEGORY OF NEW ENTRANTS TO THE WORKFORCE REFERS TO THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER WORKED BEFORE OR WHO HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE WORKFORCE FOR A LONG ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE IT AS IF THEY ARE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE FOR THE FIRST TIME 2) DISLOCATED WORKERS: FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS FOA, THIS TERM REFERS TO THE DEFINITION FOUND AT SECTION 3(15) OF WIOA AND 3) INCUMBENT WORKERS: FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS FOA, THIS TERM REFERS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EMPLOYED BUT NEED EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES TO SECURE FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, ADVANCE IN THEIR CAREERS, OR RETAIN THEIR EMPLOYMENT. WITHIN THESE ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT CATEGORIES (NEW ENTRANTS, DISLOCATED WORKERS, AND INCUMBENT WORKERS), APPLICANTS MUST PRIORITIZE HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE LOCAL OR REGIONAL ECONOMIC AREA SERVED BY THE GRANT, INCLUDING WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, VETERANS, INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, INDIVIDUALS WITH A HISTORY OF SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCY OR OTHER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, OR OTHER POPULATIONS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM IMPROVED JOB QUALITY AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES:WORC ROUND 6 GRANT AWARD RECIPIENTS MAY PARTNER WITH SUBRECIPIENTS AS WELL AS PROVIDE SERVICES THROUGH AMERICAN JOB CENTERS WITHIN THE AREA COVERED BY THE GRANT AS APPROPRIATE.

CATALYST CONNECTION

AWARD PURPOSE NON-PROFIT MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP CENTER FOR SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA AND THE GREATER PITTSBURGH AREA, CATALYST CONNECTION, WILL WORK WITH KEY WORKFORCE TRAINING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD, EDUCATIONAL, AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO ENGAGE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING EMPLOYERS, AND TO RECRUIT, TRAIN, AND PLACE 250 NEW AND UPSKILLED INCUMBENT WORKERS IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY JOBS. KEY GOALS INCLUDE: •CONFIRM A TRAINING CURRICULUM IN THE FIELDS OF ADDITIVEMANUFACTURING, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING,AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS, CYBERSECURITY, AND OTHER ADVANCEDMANUFACTURING SECTORS, PROVIDED BY TRAINING AND EDUCATIONALINSTITUTIONS INCLUDING THE ADVANCED ROBOTICS MANUFACTURING(ARM) INSTITUTE, CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, CATALYST CONNECTION,COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, DIGITAL FOUNDRY / PENNSTATE AT NEW KENSINGTON, NEW CENTURY CAREERS, AND THE U.S.ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP. •PRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE AN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING &TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE TRAINING GUIDE FOR TRAINEES ANDINCUMBENT WORKERS TO LEARN ABOUT AND EASILY ACCESS WORKFORCEDEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS IN THE REGION. • CONDUCT AN OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE TO REACH REGIONAL MANUFACTURING EMPLOYERS WHO SEEK TALENTED WORKERS IN THESE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FIELDS, AS PARTNERS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIPS, AND PLACEMENT. • PROVIDE CUSTOMIZED TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND TRAINING PLANS FOR 20 SELECTED MANUFACTURING COMPANIES. • RECRUIT AND TRAIN 100 NEW WORKERS AND UPSKILL 150 INCUMBENT WORKERS IN THESE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING SECTORS AND SKILLS, AND PLACE 80 NEW WORKERS AND 135 INCUMBENTS INTO HIGHER LEVEL MANUFACTURING POSITIONS. • PRODUCE AND EVALUATE RESULTS OF THE PROJECT, LESSONS LEARNED, AND FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED OR GAPS FILLED, INCLUDING IN OTHER, FUTURE LOCALITIES. ACTIVITIES PERFORMED RESEARCH REGIONAL TRAINING CURRICULUM NEEDS: • RESEARCH MANUFACTURING EMPLOYER NEEDS FOR WORKERS AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SKILLS VIA SURVEYS AND INTERVIEWS • INVENTORY EXISTING TRAINING PROGRAMS IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES, FOCUSED ON CATALYST INDUSTRY 4.0 TRAINING RESOURCE GUIDE, AND MAP EXISTING OFFERINGS AGAINST EMPLOYER NEEDS • IDENTIFY GAPS IN EXISTING TRAINING CONTENT, AND DEVELOP ADDITIONAL CONTENT TO MEET EMPLOYER NEEDS • CREATE A TRAINING CATALOGUE WITH IN DEMAND TRAININGS, TRAINING PROVIDERS AND LOGISTICS ENGAGE EMPLOYERS: • ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT MESSAGING CONTENT AND COMMUNICATIONS PLAN IN ALIGNMENT WITH EMPLOYER NEEDS AND TRAINING CONTENT AND SHARE VIA WEBSITE, EMAILS AND SOCIAL MEDIA • CONDUCT WEBINARS AND OUTREACH TO INFORM EMPLOYERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ON THE TRAINING RESOURCES AVAILABLE • DISSEMINATE TRAINING GUIDE AND COMMUNICATIONS VIA REGIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS, CURRICULUM PARTNERS, TRAINING PARTNERS (ARM/CMU, N91, PENN STATE, NEW CENTURY CAREERS)) AND OTHER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS • CONDUCT TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOP TRAINING PLANS FOR WORKERS AND JOB SEEKERS, ON BEHALF OF UP TO 20 EMPLOYERS; ASSURE THAT TRAINING PLANS MEET EMPLOYER NEEDS FOR HIRING AND GROWTH RECRUIT, TRAIN & PLACE WORKERS: • ENGAGE EMPLOYERS TO IMPLEMENT INCUMBENT WORKER TRAINING PLANS • CONDUCT OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT WITH TRAINING RECRUITS AT HIGH SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS SUPPORTING DISLOCATED OR UNEMPLOYED WORKERS, AND IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES • PROVIDE JOB COUNSELING, PLACEMENT, AND UPSKILLING SERVICES, OR FACILITATE SUCH SERVICES BY OTHER PARTNERS, TO MAXIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLACEMENT IN HIGHER-SKILLS AND HIGHER-WAGE JOBS • TRACK AND MONITOR METRICS OF SUCCESS IN TRAINEE RECRUITMENT, EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT, TRAINEES TAUGHT, SUBJECTS TAUGHT, JOBS CREATED OR SUSTAINED, AND OTHER METRICS OF PROGRESS AND SUCCESS. EVALUATE PROJECT MILESTONES, SUCCESSES, AND CHALLENGES FOR FUTURE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT AND POTENTIAL BROADER DEPLOYMENT • CONDUCT SURVEY OF SAMPLE OF TRAINEES, EVALUATE IMPROVEMENTS FOR FUTURE ROUNDS OF TRAINING • CONDUCT SURVEY OF ENGAGED EMPLOYERS ON RESULTS OF TRAINING PROGRAM, IMPROVEMENTS FOR FUTURE ROUNDS OF TRAINING • CONDUCT SURVEY OF TRAINING PARTNERS TO EVALUATE RESULTS, IDENTIFY IMPROVEMENTS • DRAFT AND DISSEMINATE WHITE PAPER REPORT ON RESULTS, PROGRESS, INNOVATIONS, IMPROVEMENTS FOR FUTURE, AND REMAINING GAPS DELIVERABLES REGIONAL WORKER TRAINING GUIDEBOOK ESTABLISHED AND DISSEMINATED • 100 EMPLOYERS ENGAGED • 20 EMPLOYERS RECEIVE DIRECT WORKER TRAINING SUPPORT • 100 NEW WORKERS RECRUITED & TRAINED, WITH 80 PLACED IN SKILLED JOBS • 150 INCUMBENT WORKERS RECRUITED AND UPSKILLED, WITH 135 PLACED IN HIGHER-SKILLS JOBS • PLAN FOR FURTHER EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS OF THESE TRAINING APPROACHES INTENDED BENEFICIARY NEW JOBS RECRUITS, AND INCUMBENT MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY WORKERS IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, WITH FOCUS ON HIGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS, TRAINEE RECRUITS IN LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS, WORKERS TRANSITIONING OUT OF FOSSIL FUEL SECTORS, VETERANS, WORKERS WITH LIMITED EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS, AND OTHER KEY GROUPS. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES NEIGHBORHOOD 91 CONSULTANT WILL RECEIVE DOL FUNDING TO SUPPORT ROLE IN ESTABLISHING AND DEPLOYING NEW TRAINING MODEL AND COURSES AT NEIGHBORHOOD 91. • EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PARTNERS WILL RECEIVE FUNDING TO COVER TRAINING COSTS OF STUDENTS AND TRAINEES PARTICIPATING IN THEIR TRAINING COURSES AND ACTIVITIES

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

REGIONAL INNOVATION CLUSTER (RIC) CONSORTIUM MODEL FOR TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATION - CATALYST CONNECTION

BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM PURPOSE AWARDTHE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO EMPLOYERS AND LABOR UNIONS TO ENCOURAGE THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN IN REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP AND NONTRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS WITHIN THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING (AM) SECTOR. THROUGH THIS TA, WE WILL PREPARE MANUFACTURING EMPLOYERS TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE IN THEIR HIRING PRACTICES AND TO PREPARE WOMEN FOR CAREERS IN AM.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED1.EMPLOYER EDUCATION AND RESOURCES: PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYER EDUCATION ON THE BENEFITS OF DIVERSE WORKFORCES, BEST PRACTICES, AND REDUCING MICROAGGRESSIONS AND HARASSMENT. DEVELOP A STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE FOCUSING ON WOMEN IN AM.2.TRAINING PROGRAMS: EXPAND AND ENHANCE PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS (PAPS) AND REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP (RA) PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN AND DEVELOP AN INTRODUCTION TO MANUFACTURING PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS.3.EMPLOYER OF CHOICE: ASSIST MANUFACTURERS IN BUILDING AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE REPUTATION WITH A FOCUS ON INCREASING WOMENS EMPLOYMENT IN AM.4.LEADERSHIP TRAINING: AUGMENT APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING WITH LEADERSHIP AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS TAILORED SPECIFICALLY FOR WOMEN THROUGH THE TRAILBLAIZEHERS PROGRAM.5.SUPPORT NETWORKS: EXPAND SUPPORT GROUPS AND NETWORKS FOR WOMEN IN AM AND DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE TOOLKIT SPECIFICALLY FOR WOMENS CAREER ADVANCEMENT.6.SUPPORTIVE SERVICES: LEVERAGE EXISTING NETWORKS FOCUSING ON CHILDCARE AND TRANSPORTATION FOR WOMEN AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE THESE SUPPORTS.7.TARGETED OUTREACH: CONDUCT TARGETED OUTREACH TO ENGAGE WOMEN FROM HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.DELIVERABLES EXPECTED OUTCOMEENROLL AND COMPLETE TRAINING FOR 30 WOMEN IN PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, 40 IN REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, AND 50 IN OTHER SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMS.SERVE 40 WOMEN FROM UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.CONDUCT 24 OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF AM OPPORTUNITIES.SECURE EMPLOYMENT FOR 32 WOMEN CONSISTENT WITH GOOD JOBS PRINCIPLESCONDUCT 10 COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYER EDUCATION INITIATIVES.DEVELOP A STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE AND TOOLKIT.INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES)THIS PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT WOMEN, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES, WITHIN PITTSBURGH AND THE SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA REGION. BY INCREASING WOMENS PARTICIPATION IN AM, THE PROJECT WILL SUPPORT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES BY FOSTERING ECONOMIC STABILITY AND GROWTH.EMPLOYERS WILL BENEFIT GREATLY FROM THIS INITIATIVE BY FILLING THEIR POSITIONS WITH QUALIFIED, SKILLED WOMEN, ENHANCING THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AND INNOVATION. THE COMPREHENSIVE TA PROVIDED WILL LEAD TO MORE INCLUSIVE AND EFFICIENT HIRING PRACTICES.ULTIMATELY, THE BROADER COMMUNITY WILL BENEFIT FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DRIVEN BY THIS INITIATIVE. ENHANCED JOB CREATION, IMPROVED FAMILY INCOMES, AND REDUCED ECONOMIC DISPARITIES WILL LEAD TO A MORE VIBRANT, RESILIENT, AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY, DRIVING FORWARD THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENTIRE REGION.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIESWILL NOT FIT DUE TO CHARACTER LIMIT OF 4000

COMMERCIALIZATION CENTER

THE M2M PROJECT

WORKFORCE TRAINING

POWER-IMCP PLANNING

CATALYST CONNECTION - THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING JOBS & INNOVATION ACCELERATOR CHALLENGE.

CATALYST CONNECTION - BUSINESS TO BUSINESS NETWORK PILOT PROJECT FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

MODEL BASED ENTERPRISE (MBE)