Title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title II: Fiscal, Article V: Special Funds, Chapter 236: Workforce Development Fund, by amending Section 236.01 – Establishment of the Workforce Development Fund, to allow the Department of Human Resources to manage and direct the Fund with the Office of Management and Budget, and Section 236.03 - Priorities to create additional allowable uses of the Fund’s assets.
Body
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1.
§ 236.01 - Establishment of the Workforce Development Fund.
(a) The Office of the City Controller shall create the Workforce Development Fund.
(b) The Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Human Resources and Civil Service shall manage and direct the Workforce Development Fund.
(c) City Council shall approve:
(1) All assets dedicated to the Workforce Development Fund; and
(2) All expenditures made using the Workforce Development Fund’s assets.
§ 236.02 - Workforce Development Fund Assets.
(a) The City may appropriate funding to the Workforce Development Fund.
(b) The City may accept and receive monies from non-City sources for use in the Workforce Development Fund.
(c) Funding dedicated to the Workforce Development Fund shall be used for purposes consistent with those enumerated in § 236.03.6
(1) Any assets remaining in the Workforce Development Fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried into the Workforce Development Fund in the next fiscal year, including all interest and income earned, as well as any repayments or forfeiture of loans and / or grants.
(2) City Council may, at its discretion and through legislative action, re-appropriate assets previously dedicated to the Workforce Development Fund.
§ 236.03 - Priorities.
(a) Use of the Workforce Development Fund’s Assets shall be limited to:
(1) Establishing a Local Pre-Apprenticeship Bridge Program Certification that ensures that all pre-apprenticeship bridge programs are teaching to the standards needed to enter union apprenticeships;
(2) Exploring a unified online and print application for both pre-apprenticeship bridge programs and union apprenticeship programs;
(3) Developing a Comprehensive Website Portal where job seekers can create a profile, connect to current information on pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities in the construction trades, and receive alerts for upcoming opportunities and information. The portal shall be able to be adapted for other emerging careers;
(4) Creating a Joint Marketing & Outreach Plan between necessary partners to synchronize the production of materials, job fairs, and networking events. This plan shall also include identifying key influencers in economically-disadvantaged communities to act as ambassadors;
(5) Creating a Joint Lobbying Plan between necessary partners to lobby for state and federal legislation, and access new funding streams. A specific focus shall be put on driver’s license suspension for non-driving offenses and clean slate legislation;
(6) Developing a Data Sharing Agreement between necessary partners to track the success and hurdles of pre-apprentices along their path into a union apprenticeship or career, and compile the findings into an annual report;
(7) Exploring crafting a Driver’s License Restoration Policy that would create a fund or system to allow formerly incarcerated people and people with a transportation barrier to employment to repay fees and fines against their license at a discounted rate; and
(8) Exploring a partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools to expand career and technical program offerings to ensure that CTE graduates have access to pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeships that will give them direct access to the careers in the construction industry.;
(9) Supporting Neighborhood Employment Centers;
(10) Creating a program to provide Drivers Education courses, which could include courses to obtain a Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s License, for City of Pittsburgh residents currently enrolled in workforce development programs including but not limited to apprenticeship programs, trade institutes, and Career and Technical Education programs; and,
(11) Creating a program to offer driver’s license reinstatement services and fee payment for City of Pittsburgh residents currently enrolled in workforce development programs including but not limited to apprenticeship programs, trade institutes, and Career and Technical Education programs; and,
(12) Creating a program to improve transportation access for City of Pittsburgh residents currently enrolled in workforce development programs including but not limited to apprenticeship programs, trade institutes, and Career and Technical Education programs.