The Tri-County Workforce Investment Board has been awarded a $1.12 million grant to implement the Steamfitters Local 449’s advanced and basic training program in Butler and 15 other coal-impacted counties in Western Pennsylvania.

The board will subcontract with the Steamfitters union to identify current and future workforce needs of skilled workers and contractors in those counties by collaborating with contractors and stakeholders.

Next, it will provide customized training to meet diverse workforce needs, while making sure they align with current and expected labor market demands. There will be two types of training: advanced skill training for specific needs identified by contractors and employability training for soft skills and customer service.

Training sessions will be held at Steamfitters Local 449's Training Center in Harmony and will be free to the workers and trainees served by this project. Over three years, the program is expected to serve 1,000 people and improve the employability of 950 people.

The other counties in the program are Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Greene, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, Warren, Washington, and Westmoreland.

The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded the grant, U.S. Sen Bob Casey, D-Pa., said Thursday.

“In our ever-changing economy, job training has never been more important. These grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission will help workers across Southwestern Pennsylvania learn new skills and support local entrepreneurs,” Casey said.

“We are honored to receive the award and look forward to working with the Steamfitters Local 449 Union to implement this grant and train 1,000 workers”, said Mary Salony, Tri-County Workforce Investment Board executive director.

The grant is part of a recently announced $21 million package supporting 21 projects serving 211 coal-impacted counties through ARC’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization initiative.

POWER targets federal resources to communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries. Additional support for the project is provided by the Steamfitters Local 449 Union.

Since POWER launched in 2015, ARC has invested nearly $316.6 million in 393 projects across 358 coal-impacted counties. The nearly $73 million awarded in 2021 is projected to create/retain over 10,383 jobs and attract nearly $527.3 million in leveraged private investments.