From Apprenticeships to Careers: How PIT Is Growing the Region’s Workforce

Whether it’s building a new $1.7 billion new terminal or maintaining its operations moving forward – using the airport’s assets for benefit of the region is a key goal.

Workforce development continues to be part of that focus, creating a lasting impact for hundreds of people in the region who have benefitted from the airport’s workforce programs.

Incorporating workforce development as part of the new terminal program was spearheaded by CEO Christina Cassotis and was implemented by people like Alicia Booker, the airport’s director of workforce development and talent acquisition.

“Christina came up with the vision,” Booker said. “How do we work… to drive access to opportunities.”

The airport’s PIT2Work project launched in 2023 when Booker came aboard and it’s proven to be successful, officials said. More than 100 people have graduated from the program, learning key skills to get started in the construction trades.

Booker and her staff have worked to increase people’s awareness of the airport’s operations and the opportunities available to people who want to pursue a career in aviation or construction.

Among the opportunities available include working in the departments that maintain the infrastructure of airport facilities, totaling more than 2 million square feet.

Two workers are learning about just that as the initial participants in the airport’s Stationary Engineers Apprenticeship program.

James Buckley, who was already an airport employee, and Jon Creamons were chosen to be the initial apprentices in the program. They started in November and have been training and working since, Booker said.

Each apprenticeship spans four years and includes over 8,000 hours of skill development in the classroom and on the job.

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 95 provides classroom instruction, and the airport provides the on-the-job training. When they complete the apprenticeship, the participants will have earned their journey workers’ paper and be highly qualified to contribute to the region’s workforce – either at the airport or beyond.

There were 95 applications to join the program, which showed airport officials the extent of interest there is in a potential career at the airport, Booker said.

The program is registered with the state as one of its State Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

“Having the state register the program and having the union provide the training means our apprentices are trained to the highest standard, regardless of where the individuals work. They are earning proof their skills will meet or exceed industry standard,” Booker said.

“We’ve had an enormous amount of interest in our workforce initiatives,” Booker said.

The airport’s workforce development program is a model for other organizations that can be used to increase the talent pool in the region.

“It really creates this opportunity to share best practices to create a regional hub for talent building,” Booker said. “The program is just one piece.”

The airport’s efforts have received more than $ 400,000 in financial support from organizations including the Heinz Endowments, PNC Charitable Fund, Partner4Work, the Arconic Foundation and Citizens Bank.

“The philanthropic community is incredible. There’s enormous response to support our larger workforce,” Booker said.

Now that the terminal is open, Booker said she hopes to preserve the momentum with more workforce development and community outreach programs. She’d like to continue to build on the connections between the airport and the regional community.

“Workforce development” is more than a buzzword here, said Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Executive Director Rich Fitzgerald, who previously served as Allegheny County Executive for 12 years. The SPC is a regional organization that shepherds transportation and economic development initiatives.

The new terminal program provided a chance to implement broader workforce development goals to help southwestern Pennsylvanians, Fitzgerald said.

The new landside terminal was the largest public works project in the region in more than a decade and was approached differently than previous large regional projects. It was a chance “to do other things that can benefit the region,” he said.

“We hear again and again companies looking to expand or locate (in Pittsburgh): ‘Is there a trained workforce that my company can use?” Fitzgerald said.

With things like the apprenticeship program, Fitzgerald can offer a “Yes.”

“It’s a key component of our economic development strategy,” he said.