New United Way program to support trade students completing their training

PITTSBURGH (Feb. 2, 2026) – United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania launched the Training Programs Emergency Financial Assistance (TEFA) program in December 2025 with grants to six Allegheny County-based trade and pre-apprenticeship programs. Through TEFA, United Way aims to assist low- and middle-income individuals in overcoming emergency financial barriers and completing industry-aligned credentials, training and pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to employment in the trades.  

With funding from The Heinz Endowments, the TEFA program awards grants to Allegheny County-based trade and pre-apprenticeship programs to fund students’ emergency financial needs outside of tuition, tools and other materials. TEFA funds will help ensure that participants meet their basic needs while enrolled in these programs, keeping students on the pathway to jobs with family-sustaining wages. Funds will be distributed by grantee agencies to students to address needs such as car repairs or child care, that would otherwise prevent them from completing their programs.  

The Allegheny County agencies receiving TEFA grants in 2025 are:  

Community Kitchen Pittsburgh: $20,000 

Trade Institute of Pittsburgh: $20,000 

Mon Valley Initiative: $20,000 

Reimagine Re-entry: $20,000  

Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS): $10,000 

New Century Careers: $10,000 

TEFA builds on the success of United Way’s College Emergency Financial Assistance (CEFA) program, a partnership with eight regional colleges and universities to keep students on the pathway to graduation and success. In 2024, $33,165 in CEFA assistance kept 58 students on track to earn their degrees.