Pittsburgh Expands Learn and Earn Year-Round With $1 Million Grant
Updated
Updated · 90.5 WESA · May 14
Pittsburgh Expands Learn and Earn Year-Round With $1 Million Grant
4 articles · Updated · 90.5 WESA · May 14
$1 million from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, matched by city funds, will let Pittsburgh and Partner4Work extend the Learn and Earn youth jobs program beyond summer into the school year.
Low-income teens in Allegheny County use the program to try different industries, build job skills and earn industry certifications while being paid above minimum wage.
Nearly 200 businesses and nonprofits already host summer placements, and Partner4Work hopes at least 100 worksites will sign up for the school-year expansion.
Research on similar programs in Chicago, New York and Boston has linked youth employment to lower risky behavior and crime, while local educators say it also boosts motivation and social capital.
City leaders and Partner4Work say the broader goal is to create jobs that keep more young people working and eventually staying in Allegheny County.
As federal support for youth programs wanes, can local initiatives like Pittsburgh's truly secure the next generation's economic future?
With a goal of 100 new partners, what does it take for a local business to turn a teen's first job into a career?
Pittsburgh is betting on jobs over curfews to guide its youth. Which strategy will ultimately prove more successful for the city?
Year-Round Learn & Earn: Pittsburgh’s $2 Million Push for Continuous Youth Employment and Equity
Overview
Pittsburgh's Learn & Earn program is making a major change by expanding from a summer-only initiative to a year-round opportunity for local youth, starting in late 2025 and early 2026. This transformation aims to provide ongoing skill-building and work experience, moving beyond seasonal limits to support long-term career readiness and professional growth. The expansion is made possible by a $1 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, matched by the City of Pittsburgh, ensuring sustained employment and development pathways for young people across the city.