New life sciences initiative targets local industry growth, talent pipeline acceleration
Originally published by The Philadelphia Business Journal A new local initiative launched this week with $3.4 million in funding and a goal of growing Philadelphia’s life sciences industry and strengthening its talent pipeline. The Keystone LifeSci Collaborative was established by a group of local life sciences leaders and community partners to serve as a […]
$500,000 from Hummingbird Foundation Will Fuel WPSI University
We are very excited to begin 2024 by sharing the exciting news that the Hummingbird Foundation, the New Jersey-based charitable organization that helped us launch WPSI University in 2023, has continued its support of the Skills Initiative with a new gift of $500,000 over two years. The initial $150,000 investment from Hummingbird in January of […]
Phlebotomy program gives lift to lab, community
Originally published by Cap Today December 2023—The clinical laboratory at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is solving two problems at once: its phlebotomist staffing shortage and the need for some in its community to learn a new skill and obtain employment. In a program for which planning began in 2022, CHOP has partnered with West […]
This Is Philadelphia’s Big Life Sciences Moment
This is Philadelphia’s Big Life Sciences Moment On the heels of EDA Tech Hubs designation, Philly has everything it needs to keep its life sciences ecosystem strong, leaders say. Here’s how stakeholders across the region are working together to build up real estate and workforce programs to support the growing industry. Words by: Sarah Huffman, @sarahghuffman Edited […]
Filling the gap: Some of Philadelphia’s influential leaders discuss how to create more equitable workforce opportunities
Originally published by the Philadelphia Business Journal Ask not what workforce development can do for you, but how your company can be a part of creating more equitable opportunities in the workforce. This advice was dispensed at Filling the Gap: Workforce Development, a panel discussion hosted by Citizens on Sept. 21 that brought together some […]
Philly Money Moves: West Philadelphia Skills Initiative won a big workforce development grant
Originally Published by Technical.ly West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), a workforce development program through the University City District, won a $339,000 grant from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation to support workforce development for justice-involved individuals. During FY22, 17% of WPSI’s participants were justice-involved individuals and only half of them graduated, according to the org. These […]
Graduate Spotlight: Iyana from Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Iyana Pearson saves lives. Before she joined the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative in 2022, she had worked as a dialysis technician for eight years. Like so many other Americans, however, she found herself looking for work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Iyana explored getting back into the medical field, she discovered the pilot […]
OPRE Pathways To Work Case Study on WPSI
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation published a case study on WPSI! Read the study below:
Announcing the Third Class of WPSI Scholars
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) is pleased to name the third annual class of WPSI Scholars. These ten Skills Initiative alumni will each receive financial assistance to help with continuing their professional education. Through generous funding from the Chappell- Culpeper Foundation, Scholars each receive a $2,000 scholarship toward tuition to cover degree, certification, or […]
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative: Building Customized Talent Solutions
Originally published by BioBuzz Going on 13 years, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) has acted as a workforce intermediary with local companies. The Skills Initiative operates a year-round, cohort-based, jobs-driven training model designed to find and train talent. Over the years, the Skills Initiative’s programs have connected more than 91% of graduates to employment […]
Cutting the Ribbon on New West Philadelphia Skills Initiative Headquarters
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), our pioneering workforce intermediary that has connected Philadelphians to career-ladder positions with major employers since its formation in 2011, has cut the ribbon on a new headquarters at 22 S. 40th Street in West Philadelphia. Members of our UCD and WPSI staff were joined by 3rd District Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, […]
Support from Hummingbird Foundation Helps Skills Initiative Launch WPSI University to Further Advance Alumni
This week, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) is thrilled to announce the launch of WPSI University, our new program to offer continued workplace education and academic advancement for our graduates, equipping them with the tools and credentials they need to advance in the 21st-century workplace. This new enterprise is supported by a generous $150,000 […]
