Learn & Earn

Learn & Earn gives young people ages 14 - 23 the opportunity to earn wages, gain real-world work experience, and explore career pathways. Through partnerships with employers, community organizations the program helps youth and young adults build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to prepare for their future. The programs are supported by Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, and generous philanthropic partners. 

 Learn & Earn Opportunities:

Year-Round Learn & Earn expands paid work experiences beyond the summer months, giving eligible City of Pittsburgh youth and young adults the opportunity to continue building skills, earning wages, and exploring career pathways during the school year. The program is supported by the City of Pittsburgh and the RK Mellon Foundation and is administered by Partner4Work.

Participants take part in fall and/or spring work experiences designed to build workplace skills, strengthen career readiness, and connect young people to meaningful employment opportunities. The program also gives businesses a no-cost, supported way to connect with emerging local talent, provide meaningful work experience, and help build Pittsburgh’s future workforce.

• Ages served: 16–23
• Service area: the City of Pittsburgh
• Eligibility: Completed one or more years of Summer Learn & Earn. Income and residency requirements apply.  
• Program length: Up to 16 weeks of paid work experience
• Program Structure: Two 8-week sessions during the fall, winter, and spring
• Work schedule:12–20 hours per week
• Worksites: Corporations, nonprofits, and community-based organizations
• Applications: Check back in August for more information

Summer Learn & Earn is a paid summer youth employment program delivered by Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, and Partner4Work. The program helps young people build workplace skills, gain hands-on experience, and explore career pathways through placements with local worksites.

Since its launch in 2015, Learn & Earn has connected nearly 13,500 young people with jobs at more than 400 worksites and returned more than $6 million in wages to the local economy. Participants also receive professional development coaching to support their success on the job and beyond.

• Ages served: 14–23
• Service area: Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh
• Eligibility: Income and residency requirements apply
• Program length: 7 weeks of paid summer employment
• Work schedule: At least 20 hours per week at a worksite
• Worksites: Corporations, nonprofits, and community-based organizations
• Applications: Accepted in the spring

Businesses and organizations can become Learn & Earn worksites by hosting youth and young adults for meaningful work experiences.

As a worksite, your organization can:

• Connect with emerging local talent
• Provide real-world career exposure
• Help young people build workplace skills
• Support Pittsburgh’s future workforce
• Participate in Summer Learn & Earn, Year-Round Learn & Earn, or both