Pittsburgh Training Centers to Groom Casino Workers

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – As reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "In anticipation of a casino that could be up and running within two years, competitors for the lone Pittsburgh slots license already are consulting nearby training centers, hoping to fill the thousands of expected job openings with a healthy share of locally groomed employees.

"One potential beneficiary of this outreach is the Bidwell Training Center, an adult education outfit associated with the Manchester Craftsman's Guild and headquartered just west of the West End Bridge on the North Side. They've already discussed an alliance with Forest City Enterprises and Harrah's Entertainment, which want to build a Station Square casino complex.

"Bill Strickland, chief executive officer of Manchester Bidwell Corp., said Forest City had discussed a partnership that would allow Bidwell to train the hospitality and food-service workers that the Harrah's casino would require. In exchange, Manchester Bidwell, which is a nonprofit group that relies on federal funding and donations to operate, would hope for some contribution from Harrah's or Forest City…"