03 Sep Partner4Work Selects Grant Associates to Open New EARN and Work Ready Location in Duquesne
New Location to Provide Case Management, Career Services, and Job Placement Services for Clients of TANF and SNAP in Allegheny County
PITTSBURGH, PA, September 3, 2021 – Grant Associates, a nationally acclaimed workforce development company, announced today that it has been selected by Partner4Work to operate a new Allegheny County EARN—Employment, Advancement and Retention Network—and Work Ready program office in the Duquesne neighborhood. The EARN and Work Ready programs provide case management, career services, supportive services, training services, and job placement services to clients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Allegheny County.
The new Duquesne EARN Center will bring valuable services to Duquesne and the broader Mon Valley community, providing programs and support for individuals on their path to meaningful employment. Grant Associates uses a demand-driven approach to identify the hiring needs and in-demand skills of local industries. They then work diligently to connect EARN and Work Ready clients with the education and training they need to develop those skills and position themselves for careers in the region’s growing industries and occupations. The program also uses a “Two-Generation Approach” to help families thrive and end the cycle of poverty in our communities. Two-Gen activities focus on health and wellbeing, education, financial literacy, and early childhood development among others.
“We are excited to open the Duquesne EARN location and grow our partnership with Partner4Work, building on the strong relationships with businesses and other community partners in Allegheny County,” said Doug Cotter, CEO of Grant Associates. “I’m confident our human-centered approach to services will enable us to make a difference in the lives of countless citizens throughout the region and help businesses find the skilled talent they need to grow.”
One of the cornerstones of Grant Associates’ service model is to meet clients “where they are” with a variety of training and education opportunities to help get them on the road to self-sufficiency. Duquesne EARN clients will have access to a variety of services such as resume building and job search workshops, credential attainment and training, and job search assistance. For those clients needing additional supportive services, Grant Associates partners with a network of community organizations to ensure clients have access to the resources they need to overcome barriers to sustainable employment.
“We’ve been very pleased with the collaboration Grant Associates has brought to the Pittsburgh area since they first began partnering with us in 2019,” said Andy Smith, Director of Adult Workforce Programs at Partner4Work. “Now, we’re eager to see them offer innovative workforce solutions in the Mon Valley to help connect more EARN and Work Ready clients to opportunities to become self-sufficient and build the talent pipeline for the region’s employers.”
Duquesne EARN will open its doors at 2 Duquesne Plaza on September 3. The Grant Associates team will host an open house that day from 11 am to 4 pm with a ribbon-cutting at 2 pm. Community members and businesses are invited to attend to meet the team and learn more about the services available. Food and refreshments, as well as games for children, will also be available.
This is Grant Associates’ third contract in the Pittsburgh area. The company currently operates the PA CareerLink® Allegheny East contract and the Wilkinsburg EARN contract in partnership with Partner4Work.
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Grant Associates
Grant Associates is one of the largest workforce development organizations in North America. Our mission is to raise the economic security of the people, businesses, and communities we serve. Since 1997, our innovative programs and solutions have inspired residents, supported regional enterprises, developed industry sectors, and helped communities across the United States realize their workforce potential. Partnering with federal, state, and local agencies, Grant Associates has provided human resources support to more than 50,000 businesses and empowered more than 1.25 million people to advance, addressing their obstacles to employment, and connecting them with jobs that fit their goals. Our programs include sector-based initiatives, business centers, and programs that serve those on public assistance, as well as other targeted populations such as youth, justice-involved, veterans, and the disabled. For more information visit: www.grantassociatesinc.com.
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.