Ready for anything,
capable of everything.

We’re an accelerator for the exceptional. We champion economic mobility by connecting great talent with great jobs.

Ready for anything,
capable of everything.

Ready for anything,
capable of everything.

The Skills Initiative is currently recruiting for training and job opportunities in Custodial Services earning $21.62/hour with University of Pennsylvania

What is
The Skills
Initiative?

The Skills Initiative is the bold solution necessary to close the opportunity gap in Philadelphia. For nearly 15 years, The Skills Initiative has solidified its role as one of the highest performing workforce intermediaries in the country by building customized talent solutions that bridge the divide between unemployed Philadelphians seeking opportunity and employers seeking talent. The Skills Initiative runs year-round, cohort-based, jobs-driven training models that harness the hiring power of our area’s major employers, while cultivating our neighbors’ talent.

Graduates connected to employment
0 %
Average hourly starting wage post-program
$ 0
Graduates retaining employment for 12+ months
0 %
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Unhidden
Talent

Meet three Skills Initiative Alumni and hear how their careers and lives have flourished since completing our program.

Our Partners

WPSI currently has two open programs:

  • Access Services Associate in partnership with Penn Medicine
  • The Shipyard Apprentice Program in partnership with Philly Shipyard, the Navy Yard, and PIDC

Signature Professional Development Program FY20

127

Philadelphians served in 2021

91%

Successful participants connected to employment

$17.96

Average hourly starting wage post-program

20%

Average wage increase post-program

37

Average weeks unemployed prior to WPSI

Pandemic Response Programs

43

EMT Certification program participants

54

Alumni rapid hire placements through #WorkWithWPSI

Signature Professional Development Program All Time

1,312

Participants since 2011

93%

Placement rate

14%

Average wage increase post-program

83%

Participants retaining employment for 12+ months

$63.4M

Total wages earned by participants since 2011