PA CareerLink

Although the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 required local areas to develop and implement a one-stop workforce development system, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County actually began planning for it two years before the required implementation deadline. This planning process was a massive undertaking involving approximately thirty organizations committed to workforce development. The logistical gymnastics required to get that many organizations working on the same page was overwhelming. However, because of strong leadership and organizational commitment, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County became one of the earliest implementers of the required one-stop system in the country.

The one-stop design that evolved for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County is called PA CareerLink. Policy direction is provided by the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board (TRWIB). The mission of PA CareerLink is to support local and regional economic development activities by serving as the foundation for the workforce development system. This performance-based system will provide both employers and job seekers with market-driven services, workshops, and information in an integrated, seamless, universally accessible setting that supports all customers in making informed hiring decisions and/or career choices. The 2006 PA CareerLink Strategic Plan is available in .pdf format.

Many PA CareerLink services are available at the PA CareerLink website. Services are also available at several geographic locations. One full-scale PA CareerLink Pittsburgh center is located in the Regional Enterprise Tower (the old ALCOA building) in downtown Pittsburgh. The second PA CareerLink center is located in Forest Hills and a third is located in Robinson Township.

The downtown PA CareerLink Pittsburgh center is a joint venture led by several investor-level partners, including Goodwill Industries, the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Job Centers, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Pennsylvania Dislocated Worker program, and Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council.

There are a variety of services available to both the job seeker and the employer. Job seekers can utilize the Career Resource Room, job listings, job search assistance, workshops, skills assessment, career counseling, literacy services, education and training services and more.

Businesses, particularly small to medium-sized employers, will find the PA CareerLink invaluable. For the first time, a wide array of services is available for businesses at a single location. Some of the services include an Business Resource Center, interview rooms, employee recruitment and screening, customized job training, technical assistance, and labor market information.

The PA CareerLink Pittsburgh is open the following hours:

Monday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

The downtown PA CareerLink Pittsburgh is located at:

Regional Enterprise Tower (the old ALCOA building)
425 Sixth Avenue
Suite 2200, 22nd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219