The Pittsburgh region has a worker shortage. Only 61% of the Allegheny County labor force is working and 26% have a high-school diploma as their highest degree, yet 60% of the job openings require more education or training.
In terms of specific industries, advanced manufacturing has major growth potential since it boosts productivity, fosters innovation, and strengthens the economy. But three out of four Pittsburgh-area manufacturers (per a Catalyst Connection study) say a shortage of qualified applicants is their No. 1 challenge in filling entry-level jobs.
The University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business is leading a charge to help tackle these workforce issues through two innovative initiatives:
1. Super Analytics Challenge: Graduate students from Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne, Penn State, and West Virginia universities are combining as teams in a competition to create long-term solutions through data and analytics for workforce training and development. The challenge runs from January 19 through February 16, 2024, with judging by corporate executives — and the best strategies to be shared with local industry groups.
2. Graduate Technology & Analytics Job Fair: On February 16 as well, innovative employers seeking to recruit graduate-level talent for data analytics and tech jobs can gain immediate benefits. This unique job fair will provide access to top-level grad students from these five universities and others for job recruiting.
Data-Driven Solutions to Local Challenges
The core focus of the fourth annual Super Analytics Challenge is the creation of solutions to the barriers connecting people to companies and jobs in the advanced manufacturing industry, specifically. As the types of jobs in the workforce change due to emerging technologies, workers must develop their own emerging skill sets to adapt.
Since it began in 2021, the annual Challenge has provided an opportunity for graduate students to create data-driven solutions addressing real challenges faced by communities throughout Pennsylvania. Previous Challenges have tackled mental health, hunger, and homelessness. Students learn directly from a variety of Fortune 500 executives and representatives from national and local community organizations like Microsoft, Accenture, and Results for America, which helps government leaders use data to solve community challenges.
“Results for America is thrilled to join with Pitt Business on the Super Analytics Challenge and work with students to use data and evidence of what works to build the workforce development programs of the future for the Pittsburgh region,” said Zachary Markovits, Vice President and Local Practice Lead. “When we bring together government, academia, nonprofits and the private sector, and most importantly, the creative and innovative ideas of young people, we can unlock the potential of all area residents and give them the stability and economic mobility that comes with having a good job.”
Job Fair: Win-Win for Companies and Students
New for 2024, the Katz Graduate School will host the Graduate Technology & Analytics Job Fair in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Technology Council, for all regional graduate students. This first-of-its-kind fair will coincide with the Challenge’s finale on February 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Alumni Hall on Pitt’s campus. Interested employers and job-seeking students can both register for the fair here.
“What better way to stimulate workforce connections than to hold a jobs fair specifically focused on solving innovative problems in technology, data, and analytics,” says Christopher H Barlow, director of career management and corporate engagement at Katz.
Using business as a force for social good is a guiding principle at Pitt Business. Barlow continues, “This year’s Challenge is a win-win for both students and the community. The students learn how to use data and analytics to solve a pressing business problem, and both businesses and job seekers benefit from this research and possible solutions.”
