Innovative Robotics Earn & Learn (REAL) Jobs Program in Pittsburgh

The Robotics Earn & Learn (REAL) Jobs program addresses the skilled worker shortage and the social and income disparities in Pittsburgh.

During this program, individuals from underrepresented groups and disadvantaged communities in the Pittsburgh region have the opportunity to participate in one-year traineeships with robotics companies. As trainees, REAL program participants will learn on the job while at the same time earning a salary and receiving health benefits. When the one-year traineeship is completed, the expectation is that they will move into the job for which they have been training.  There are no educational requirements beyond a high school diploma or GED.

For robotics companies, the REAL program provides them with an opportunity to be “conscious capitalists” by enhancing their ties to the community while at the same time building their technical, sales & distribution, and administrative human resources.   There is no financial obligation to participate in the program beyond paying the trainees and providing them with health benefits.

Catalyst Connection is currently recruiting robotics companies through the Fall of 2019 to participate in the program.

If you are a company that might be interested, take a look at the company overview & job position descriptions posted to the right for an overview of the program. Please contact Dr. Deborah D. Stine at deborah@deborah-stine.com to discuss how the program might fit your needs!

If you already know you are interested, you can go here to fill out the company participation form.

Applicants for the program may begin applying in mid-November 2019. Traineeships will begin in January 2020.  If you think you might be interested in applying for the program, first look at the position descriptions provided in the document to the right.   Then fill in the application when it is available.  Catalyst Connection would like to thank the RK Mellon Foundation for their generous support of this program.