Frequently asked questions.

Breaking the Chains is free. There is no tuition, no application fee, and no cost for materials or certifications. The program is funded through APRI Pittsburgh's partnerships with employers, unions, foundations, and individual supporters.

Eight weeks. Classes meet during the day at the USW Building at 60 Boulevard of the Allies in downtown Pittsburgh.

Cohorts run on a rolling basis throughout the year. Submit your application or contact our office to learn about the next start date.

No. The program is designed for adults entering or transitioning into the trades. You'll learn what you need from working tradespeople and labor educators.

A high school diploma or GED is preferred. If you don't meet entry requirements today, we can connect you with partners who can help you prepare. Charlene Jones is one of many participants who built her skills through a partner program and reapplied successfully.

Many of our most successful graduates came to us with records. Breaking the Chains focuses on your present, not your past. A record doesn't automatically disqualify you. We work with employer partners who hire based on skill, certification, and commitment. Get in touch and we'll talk it through.

The training itself is unpaid. But graduates often start apprenticeships immediately after completion, where you earn a wage while you continue learning.

You receive a letter of recommendation that guarantees an interview with a partner trade union. From there, the union's apprenticeship process takes over.

Breaking the Chains is administered by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute and facilitated in partnership with United Steelworkers. We're built on the alliance between the civil rights movement and the labor movement. We don't just open the door to a career. We walk through it with you, and we stay connected long after graduation.

PA Black Votes Matter is the nonpartisan coalition of Black organizations, led by Pittsburgh APRI, that has been building voting power in Western Pennsylvania since 2020. In 2024 the campaign reached eight counties, home to an estimated 130,000 to 140,000 Black voters, with roughly 90,000 in Allegheny County alone.

Count Me In is the public engagement campaign of PA Black Votes Matter. It carried a nonpartisan message about the power of voting across television, streaming, and social media, reaching Black voters throughout Western Pennsylvania with one idea: participation builds power.

No. PA Black Votes Matter is strictly nonpartisan. The work focuses on registration, education, and turnout, not on endorsing candidates or parties. The goal is a fully engaged electorate.

Becoming a chapter member is the most direct way to take part in our advocacy and voter mobilization work. You can also reach out to the office to learn about upcoming registration drives and volunteer opportunities. Contact Sierra Parm at sparm@pghapri.org or 412-733-5413.

Membership is open to union members in good standing who share the mission of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute. Organizations that support the chapter's work are also welcome to join, with Organization membership covering up to five individuals.

There are three categories: Active membership is $25 per year for an individual, Associate membership is $15 per year, and Organization membership is $275 per year and entitles the organization to five members.

There is no online payment at this time. Submit the membership form and the chapter will follow up with payment details.

The chapter meets the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at the USW Building in Pittsburgh. Members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Members have voice and vote at monthly chapter meetings, member rate access to the Annual Gala, the member newsletter, the opportunity to serve on chapter committees, and direct invitations to chapter advocacy moments and voter mobilization.

Individual membership is open to union members in good standing who share our mission. Organizations that support the work are also welcome to join through Organization membership, and the organization itself does not need to be a union.

Visit the For Employers page and use the Contact our team button, or reach Sierra Parm directly at sparm@pghapri.org or 412-733-5413. We will connect you with the right person on our team.

Employers, unions, organizations, governments, and companies all partner with us. Partners hire graduates, host apprenticeships and site visits, and help shape training so it meets real workforce needs. United Steelworkers and a network of unions anchor the work.

Yes. Participants attend six site visits to skilled trades joint apprenticeship training sites and manufacturing facilities, where they gain hands-on experience under the supervision of journeymen tradespersons.

Throughout intake and training we screen participants for emotional and intellectual maturity. Candidates meet the program requirements, adhere to a strict tardiness and absence policy, and are evaluated weekly on classroom behavior, work ethic, and dedication. Every participant passes a drug screening to enter the program and is subject to additional screenings during training.

Every graduate completes a demanding eight week program and earns six industry-recognized certifications: HAZWOPER, OSHA 30 construction safety, Mold Remediation, PennDOT approved flagger, First Aid and CPR, and Roots of Success environmental literacy. They also receive workplace training, financial literacy, and life skills development.

Watch this page and our social channels for announcements, or become a chapter member to receive direct invitations to chapter events and advocacy moments.

To confirm a sponsorship, send the completed sponsorship form to Pittsburgh A. Philip Randolph Institute, PO Box 22194, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For questions, contact Sierra Parm at sparm@pghapri.org or 412-733-5413. Checks are payable to Pittsburgh A. Philip Randolph Institute.

The evening honors leaders whose work reflects the power of partnership and progress. The award categories are the A. Philip Randolph award, the Bayard Rustin award, the Maida Springer Kemp award, and the Oliver Montgomery award.

Individual tickets are $100. Sponsorships are available at five levels: Presenting at $25,000, Leadership at $10,000, Civil Rights at $5,000, Solidarity at $2,500, and Patron at $1,000. Each level includes Gala tickets and recognition benefits that grow with the level of support.

The 2026 Gala, themed The Power of Partnerships, takes place Friday, September 25, 2026 at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Pittsburgh. The evening celebrates the alliance between labor, industry, and community and highlights the impact of our workforce programs.

Your gift funds the alliance between labor and community that builds family-sustaining careers in Pittsburgh. Donations support the Breaking the Chains pre-apprenticeship program, voter engagement through PA Black Votes Matter, and the chapter's advocacy across the region.

You can give online through our Break the Chains campaign, with one-time or monthly options. Visit the Donate page to contribute.

Yes. Donations to the Pittsburgh A. Philip Randolph Institute are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You will receive a receipt for your records. Consult your tax advisor with any questions about your specific situation.

Yes. You can give monthly through our Break the Chains campaign. Recurring gifts provide steady support that helps us plan programs and sustain the work year-round.

Beyond donating, you can become a chapter member, attend the Annual Gala, volunteer at voter registration drives, or partner with us as an employer. Contact Sierra Parm at sparm@pghapri.org or 412-733-5413 to find the right fit.