Employer Information
Heritage Community Initiatives in Braddock, PA is conducting a ‘green jobs’ training program known as the Mon Valley Innovative Energy Training (MOVE IT). The MOVE IT program provides training in the specialized areas of deconstruction, green infrastructure, home/building energy performance, and environmental monitoring. Eligible participants are selected from the un- and under-employed residents of the Upper Mon Valley Region with preference given to dislocated autoworkers and veterans. Each graduate from our program has received the following:
- Life skills training and introduction to energy and the environment
- Certification training (potentially inclusive of OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety, OSHA Confined Space, Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor, and Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting)
- Specialized training (such as deconstruction, green infrastructure, home and building energy performance)
- Resume building and job search
- Continuing education opportunities, based on individual training plans
The MOVE IT program and staff continues to support our graduates though a network of mentoring, child care, and transportation assistance. Furthermore, we can provide an assessment of our graduates based on the following criteria: initiative, performance, adaptability, behavior, and commitment.
On-the-job training is a great way for our MOVE-IT graduates to learn new skills while earning a wage and benefits. But what’s in it for employers? The On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program run by the Heritage Community Initiatives MOVE-IT program reimburses employers for part of each participating employee’s wages during the training period, while the business has the benefit of a full-time employee.
On-the-job training is provided under a contract with an employer in the public, non-profit or private sectors. An employer hires a MOVE-IT graduate and provides occupational skill training on the job, in the classroom, or both. The MOVE-IT graduate receives wages and benefits equal to those performing the same or similar work for the employer. To compensate for the costs of providing the training, the employer is reimbursed for up to 50 percent of the wages paid to the employee; not to exceed $2000 per intern.
Training and Support Partners
We would like to acknowledge and greatly thank our current training partners for their support and guidance:
- Action Housing
- AgRecycle
- Allegheny County Career Link
(Pittsburgh & Forest Hills Offices) - Allegheny County Economic Development
- Allegheny County Department of Human Services
- Allegheny County, Special Projects
- Audubon Society — Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve
- Affordable Comfort, Inc
- Braddock Carnegie Library
- Braddock Employment Training Center
- Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania
- Chatham University
- Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (Penn Future)
- Community College of Allegheny County
- Congressman Mike Doyle
- Conservation Consultants, Inc.
- Construction Junction
- Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County
- Enterprise Zone Corporation of Braddock
- Field Environmental Instruments
- Forbes Road Career and Technology Center
- Fossil Free Fuel
- Friends of Pittsburgh Urban Forest
- Goodwill Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Green Building Alliance
- Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP)
- Gulf Materials
- HDR, Inc
- International Union of Operating Engineers (Local 95)
- Josh Steel
- Key Environmental
- KU Resources
- Liberty Tire
- Massaro Corporation
- Mele Landscaping
- Mincin Insulation
- Minority and Women Educational Labor Agency
- Mon Valley Initiative
- Mon Valley Providers Council
- Neighborhood Legal Services Association
- Option Insulation
- Penn State Cooperative Extension
- Pennsylvania Environmental Council
- Pennsylvania Resources Council
- City of Pittsburgh, Department of Human Resources
- Pittsburgh Job Corps Center
- Professional Training Associates
- Range Resources
- Rivers of Steel Heritage Area
- River Quest
- Steel Valley Opportunities Industrialization Center
- Thermal Transfer Corporation
- Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board
- Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
- United States Steel Corporation
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Veterans Leadership Program of Western PA
Mark Locher
“Before attending the MOVE-IT program, I was only familiar with the well-known green job fields such as solar, wind and geo-thermal. In completing the course, I am glad to be aware of many other green avenues I can pursue such as environmental monitoring. My intent when participating in the MOVE-IT program was to gain the knowledge and certifications offered. In addition to that, MOVE-IT has assisted my job advancement resulting in a better quality of life for my family.”
Mark Locher currently works for Green Over Green as a Private Contractor and Underwood Solar Future, LLC earning $20/hour in Pittsburgh, PA. Formerly a Registered Nurse, Mark has enjoyed the transition into the green economy and continues to seek opportunities for growth.
