b'52 PIT OPERATIONSChildren of PIT employees get top priority for enrollment, but spots are also available for children of concessions staff, construction workers, etc. PHOTO: ACAAto/from the airport, and is leading a job training program calledNaylor notes that there has been robust interest in the daycare PIT2Work for those interested in the construction trades. In July,center from parents, other airports and businesses outside the the first 12 participants graduated from the five-week course, withindustry. Sondreal reports that Learning Care Group is in early hands-on experience at the airports massive terminal project.discussions with at least five other airports about setting up Encouraged by the results, airport officials may accelerate thechildcare programs. pace and scope of the training program. Slots at La PetiteSpeaking as a parent who uses PITs new daycare center, Academy are available for children of PIT2Work participants,Shertzer thinks it makes sense for airports to invest in the people underscoring the inter-related nature of the airports programs.who take care of their infrastructure. By having childcare in a Cassotis describes the new daycare center, publiccost-efficient place, youre helping your employees be more at transportation option and job training program as sticky orease about things they have to deal with outside of work, she foundational benefits that encourage employees to continueelaborates. I think thats a great asset other airports should really working at the airport for a long time. The difference is investinglook into, and I hope that more follow our lead.in employees as people as opposed to just filling open positions,In the spirit of industry camaraderie, PIT leaders invite other she explains.airports to contact them about their experience providing on-site daycare. Questions can be directed to Camilla Cionni, project In the Spotlight manager, Human Capital Planning, at ccionni@flypittsburgh.com Curiosity about PITs programs is running high. First Lady Jill Bidenor Deb Bufalini, Administration Services director, at dbufalini@visited the airport a couple weeks before its recent PIT2Workflypittsburgh.com. graduation, and the onsite childcare center has garnered national news coverage. Employees at Work, Children at PlayPittsburgh International isnt the only North American airportInternational (SFO) has financially supported a center in a county-addressing workers desire for convenient daycare.owned building located a few miles from its campus. In turn, Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) is in the final designairport workers receive priority enrollment, extended hours of care phase of an onsite facility, with $1 million in American Rescueand, in some case, tuition assistance. This summer, members Plan Act (ARPA) funds going toward the build out. The airport alsoof the Airport Commission unanimously agreed to subsidize up successfully tapped ARPA funds to help workers find other localto $7 million of childcare services for children of airport-based childcare until the new center is built.employees over the next five years. In Canada, a YMCA childcare facility opened at KelownaSeveral airports, including Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport this fall. The center will have 86 spots forInternational and Denver International, are currently assessing needs infants through 5-year-olds.and exploring ways to help workers address their childcare needs. Other airports opt to preserve valuable terminal space. LosBoston Logan International, John F. Kennedy International Angeles International (LAX) owns a nearby childcare facility thatand Miami International Airport all previously had onsite childcare is run by a private operator. And for decades, San Franciscocenters but have since discontinued their programs.November | December 2023AirportImprovement.com'