Partner4Work joins 12 urban workforce boards in initiative in workforce and economic development

PITTSBURGH (June 1, 2018) — The Partner4Work Board of Directors’ today joined 12 urban workforce boards in an unprecedented consortium to drive regional economic growth, bring resources to Southwestern PA, and connect people with opportunity. Called Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS), the consortium is the first of its kind made up of workforce development boards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

“With emerging sectors including healthcare, education, and IT, it is no secret that Pittsburgh is on the precipice of its next great renaissance. By joining the MUS consortium, we are bringing the best thinking to the region, maximizing access to resources, to fulfill the need of our region’s businesses and to better serve our job seekers,” said Mark Latterner, Partner4Work Chair, and Market President, Western PA, Citizens Bank. “By bringing the collective expertise of our partners to the west and sharing resources, we are preparing for Pittsburgh’s continued growth in a strategic, thoughtful way. We will move the needle forward on workforce development and continue the region’s momentum now and in the future.”

Established in July 2017, MUS includes partner cities of Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Gary, Indiana; Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota; St. Louis, Missouri; and Wichita, Kansas. Each has agreed to adopt a shared mission to marry economic development and best workforce development practices to retain and grow local talent to meet employer demand. P4W elected to become a member of MUS during its quarterly meeting on June 1 and is the first workforce board in Pennsylvania to join the consortium.

MUS aims to create regional sector-based advisory boards of business leaders and experts; use multi-city organizations such as United Way agencies to create a regional network of service and training providers to deepen community impact and reach; leverage the expertise, relationships, and technical support of national organizations including the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and U.S. Department of Labor; and capitalize on the diversity and opportunities that exist within urban communities to secure resources, share information, and implement best practices.

“By leveraging each city’s strengths in training and employer engagement, to sharing resources and funding, to identifying and applying best practices that serve the entire region collectively, the members of Midwest Urban Strategies bring the comprehensive force of their workforce partners to the table to build a stronger economy and greater business success in our markets,” said MUS Consortium Chair Clyde McQueen of Kansas City.

About Partner4Work

Nationally recognized for innovation, Partner4Work, formerly Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, is the workforce development organization that connects funding, expertise and opportunities for employers, job seekers, agencies, and policymakers to develop a thriving workforce in the Pittsburgh area. As stewards of more than $21 million in public and private workforce funds, Partner4Work oversees and funds workforce programs for adults, dislocated workers and youth; educates the community through labor market analytics; and implements innovative solutions to the region’s systemic workforce challenges. More information is available at www.partner4work.org.

About Midwest Urban Strategies

Midwest Urban Strategies represents a coordinated effort on behalf of 12 Department of Labor urban workforce development boards to marry traditional workforce development practices with economic development. 

Through intentional collaboration, leveraging stakeholders and efficient and creative use of resources, our strategy is to retain and grow local talent and generate a greater return on investment for our employer partners and the workforce system. As representatives from urban epicenters, the challenges and opportunities we experience by serving diverse populations – culturally, socially, and economically, require a unique set of strategies and tactics to connect people to the changing expectations and needs of employers. For more information visit us online at midwesturbanstrategies.com or follow us on Twitter @midwestworkers.

 CONTACT: Jen Pajewski, Partner4Work, jpajewski@partner4work.org, 412-552-7098