New Resources and Initiatives Available for UpSkilling and ReSkilling

By now, all manufacturers should expect a prolonged recovery period from the effects of COVID-19. Supply chains have and will continue to be disrupted, and manufacturing employees have been impacted. Before the pandemic began, there were two major focuses as we continue moving into industry 4.0. 

These focus areas included a large emphasis on digital transformation and operational excellence. It’s these same areas of focus that will help the manufacturing workforce get back on track. 

New educational and training opportunities are needed to upskill and reskill employees. 

At Catalyst Connection, we’re doing everything we can to do just that. We’ve developed a new program that will help current manufacturing employees further their skills, and another that will provide training opportunities for individuals looking to enter the manufacturing workforce. 

“Creating learning environments at all levels within an organization is a key component of high-performing employers. When Catalyst Connection examines manufacturers’ organizational health, employees tell us that career advancement and learning opportunities are integral to being engaged at work.  The more an organization strives to setup people for success, the more likely employees and the company will exceed performance expectations,” said David Rea, Managing Director of Organizational Development at Catalyst Connection.

The first initiative is Operation Next, created specifically for small and mid-sized manufacturers who have been impacted by the pandemic. The program will provide participants with an accelerated, hybrid curriculum that combines virtual learning online through simulations and multimedia with hands-on, performance-based learning on real-world manufacturing equipment. Operation Next comes at no-cost for participants thanks to support by LIFT with a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). 

“Catalyst Connection is dedicated to serving small- and medium-sized manufacturers in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Operation Next program will augment our curriculum for workforce training and contribute to the overall growth and vibrancy of manufacturing in our community,” said Petra Mitchell, President and CEO of Catalyst Connection.

The next workforce development initiative we’re working on is the Regional Earn & Learn (REAL) Jobs program. During this program, individuals from underrepresented groups and disadvantaged communities in the Pittsburgh region will have the opportunity to participate in one year of career counseling and job development services. Services will leverage new and existing relationships to emphasize preemployment training for career tracks in manufacturing, advanced manufacturing and robotics.

For robotics companies, the REAL program provides them with an opportunity to be “conscious capitalists” by enhancing their ties to the community while at the same time building their technical, sales/distribution and administrative human resources. There is no financial obligation to participate in the program beyond paying the new hire and providing them with health benefits.

“REAL Jobs is an opportunity for Catalyst, and our diverse group of partners, to create new pipelines to employment in manufacturing.  Companies like RE2 Robotics, OK Grocery (a Giant Eagle Warehouse), and community organizations such as the Mon Valley Initiative have demonstrated the commitment to our ecosystem of jobseekers that will ultimately push the industry forward,” said Nate Broadus, Workforce Specialist at Catalyst Connection.

We welcome you to join us in these initiatives to improve our manufacturing workforce here at home. 

For more information on Operation Next, please contact Mara Peduto, at mpeduto@catalystconnection.org or 412-918-4248.

For more information on the REAL Jobs Initiative, please contact Nate Broadus at nbroadus@catalystconnection.org or 412-495-0683.

Read the entire issue: