Partner4Work Announces Strategic Manufacturing Partnership with The Barnes Global Advisors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
For More Information:
Mayada Christiansen
mchristiansen@partner4work.org

Partner4Work Announces Strategic Partnership with The Barnes Global Advisors to Launch Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (RAMP)  
 
PITTSBURGH, PA — Partner4Work announced a new partnership with The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA) to support the development of the Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (RAMP), an initiative designed to strengthen the advanced manufacturing talent pipeline across the Pittsburgh region.  
 
RAMP is a collaborative effort that brings together employers, educators, and community stakeholders to build a scalable, high-quality workforce training model aligned with the needs of advanced manufacturing. The initiative leverages the expertise of both organizations to create a next generation sector partnerships table for advanced manufacturing.  
 
“Advanced manufacturing is critical to our region’s future, and we need a workforce system that keeps pace with its growth,” said Rob Cherry, CEO of Partner4Work. “RAMP is about building a smarter, more responsive system, one that’s driven by industry and designed for the future. By working hand-in-hand with employers from the start, we can ensure local residents can access these careers while businesses have the skilled talent they need to thrive.”  
 
TBGA was chosen to support this initiative as they have extensive experience leading workforce and regional manufacturing efforts, which include: 
The development of Neighborhood 91, an advance manufacturing production campus located at Pittsburgh International Airport, working closely with Allegheny County Airport Authority and the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC).  
The implementation of the Resilient Manufacturing Ecosystem (RME) program sponsored through the federal Industrial Base Analysis & Sustainment (IBAS) office.  
The leading technical team supporting the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) program through partnership with BlueForge Alliance 
The lead organization for the SHIPS workforce development program through Texas A&M Engineering Experimentation Station 
 
As part of this effort, Partner4Work and TBGA will work closely with local advanced manufacturers and partners to deepen industry engagement and ensure that workforce solutions are driven by real-time business needs. Together, they are seeking to identify and engage approximately 10 advanced manufacturing companies to champion efforts and co-design innovative workforce development strategies to meet the needs of the industry in Allegheny County.  
 
This partnership with TBGA marks a key step in engaging industry leaders early, providing businesses with a unique opportunity to get in on the ground floor and directly influence the development of workforce practices that will shape both the regional economy and the broader manufacturing sector.  
 
John Barnes, Founder and president of The Barnes Global Advisors commented, “TBGA is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Partner4Work on this important regional initiative. From our national experience, we know that manufacturing — and especially advanced manufacturing — is inherently regional, so it is critical to bring that perspective home to the region where we’re headquartered through efforts like Neighborhood 91 with the ACAA, Aim Higher with Catalyst Connection, and our broader network, including experience from our Department of Defense-funded regional manufacturing programs.” 
 
Advanced manufacturing continues to emerge as a critical growth sector, with projections estimating 3.8 million new jobs nationwide by 2033, yet as many as half may go unfilled without targeted workforce development strategies. In Allegheny County, fragmentation across existing programs has limited the region’s ability to fully capitalize on its manufacturing strengths. The initiative will focus on building actionable strategies for leveraging the workforce development system in ways that can attract additional investment and unlock the potential of the local talent in our region.  
 
Partner4Work brings deep expertise in workforce development, employer engagement, and preparing job seekers to meet evolving business needs. By working alongside TBGA and regional manufacturers, the organization aims to ensure that companies have access to the skilled talent they need to grow and compete.  

Businesses interested in learning more can reach out to Mayada Christiansen: mchristiansen@partner4work.org
 
About Partner4Work 
Nationally recognized for innovation, Partner4Work delivers workforce solutions for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to ensure the current and future needs of businesses and job seekers are met. As stewards of more than $25 million in public and private workforce funds, Partner4Work oversees and funds workforce programs for adults, dislocated workers, and youth; educates the community through robust labor market analytics; and implements innovative solutions to the region's systemic workforce challenges. Partner4Work bridges the gap between people looking for work and companies in need of talent. More information is available at www.partner4work.org.    
 
About The Barnes Global Advisors 
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA) is the leading independent engineering consultancy specializing in advanced manufacturing. With deep expertise in additive manufacturing, materials, qualification, and digital transformation, TBGA helps organizations accelerate innovation, optimize performance, and strengthen industrial competitiveness across commercial and defense sectors.  

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