Pennsylvania’s economic future is built on pipelines – not only the physical infrastructure that moves products to market, but also the talent pipelines that prepare the next generation of professionals to meet the evolving needs of industries across the Commonwealth. The PA Chamber recognizes that our future is strongest when public- and private-sector stakeholders work together toward that shared goal, and we celebrate partnerships that get it right. For PA Chamber Investor Members Slippery Rock University and Fay, S&B USA Construction (Fay), a Pittsburgh-based heavy civil and heavy highway construction company, the future is brighter than ever. Higher education and industry have joined forces in a mutually beneficial partnership that invests in students before they enter the construction workforce. Through a five-year financial commitment, Fay has established annual support for Slippery Rock University, demonstrating its commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in construction, engineering, and workplace safety. The investment includes scholarships for students enrolled in Slippery Rock’s newly established Construction Management and Civil Engineering programs, as well as its nationally recognized Safety Management program. The partnership also provides annual support for two of the university’s student organizations that are helping prepare future industry leaders: the Society of Women Engineers and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) student chapters. The impact of these programs is evident. The ASSP chapter was recently recognized with the Outstanding Student Section Award, honoring it as the top academic chapter in the nation. Fay’s investments represent far more than financial assistance. They provide meaningful opportunities for students to pursue careers in industries that are essential to Pennsylvania’s economic growth while developing career-ready skills, including leadership, professional development, networking, and hands-on experiential learning. Scholarships help reduce financial barriers, allowing students to focus on building the skills needed to become tomorrow’s project managers, engineers, and safety professionals. At the same time, students are encouraged to attend professional conferences, participate in competitions, complete internships, engage with industry leaders, and build the networks that will help launch successful careers. This partnership couldn’t have been established at a more opportune time. As infrastructure investment and construction activity continue to expand across the Commonwealth, the demand for highly skilled professionals has never been greater. “Partnerships like this are critical because they help ensure our graduates enter the workforce with strong technical knowledge, leadership experience, and the professional connections that employers value,” said Grant Ervin, Vice President of External Affairs and Sustainability for S&B USA, Fay’s parent company. By working together, higher education and industry are creating stronger career pathways, addressing critical workforce needs, and helping to ensure Pennsylvania remains competitive for generations to come. “We’re so grateful to the Pennsylvania Chamber for helping make the connections that led to this partnership,” Ervin added. “Bill Miller on the Chamber team recognized that Slippery Rock had strengths in the construction and civil engineering space that aligned with our needs at Fay, S&B USA Construction. We toured the campus, met with faculty, and saw firsthand how well the university and our capabilities could support the experiential learning needs of its students.” Since launching the partnership, Fay has successfully identified and developed top-tier talent that is helping strengthen Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and workforce of the future. It has truly been a win-win, advancing the PA Chamber and our members’ shared goal of building a stronger economy. From site tours of Fay’s Beaver River Bridge replacement project—the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s largest project to date—to hosting Slippery Rock Safety Management students through an award-winning internship program, the opportunities continue to grow. The S&B USA team was also recognized as one of the PA Chamber’s Greatest Places to Intern in PA. Together, these experiences are helping students gain real-world skills and connections that will serve them throughout their careers. The sky is the limit for this partnership – and for the talented students it is helping prepare for success.