Labor Market Report for June 26th, 2020

Every week, we will be publishing labor market industry (LMI) data and important trends to consider in the development of an equitable economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. We are always looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and collaborate. Email wpsi@universitycity.org to learn more. It has been a dismal few months for those looking for jobs. Even in industries deemed essential, opportunities […]
Labor Market Report for June 22nd, 2020

Every week, we will be publishing labor market industry (LMI) data and important trends to consider in the development of an equitable economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. We are always looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and collaborate. Email wpsi@universitycity.org to learn more. Last week, we looked at overall employment trends across industries during the COVID-19 […]
Labor Market Report for June 12th, 2020

Every week, we will be publishing labor market industry (LMI) data and important trends to consider in the development of an equitable economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. We are always looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and collaborate. Email wpsi@universitycity.org to learn more. The employment crisis and recovery resulting from COVID-19 is unprecedented. At University City […]
We’ve helped hundreds of West Philadelphians connect to jobs. Now we’re taking the show on the road

Generocity By: Sarah Steltz We are often asked what the secret is to our success at the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, our nationally recognized job training program. In a way, the success has been a bit like knowing the answers to a test in advance. You see, we don’t run a job training program unless […]
The University City District Announces Major Grants Totaling $895,000 To Expand Workforce Development Citywide

University City Review By: Staff Investments from the Connelly and William Penn Foundations allow the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative program to serve more Philadelphians and provide real solutions to unemployment and poverty On December 27, 2019, the University City District (UCD) announced two new grants to sustain its efforts to improve the quality of life […]
From West Philly to the World

The Philadelphia Citizen By Bruce Katz and Megan Humes Last week, the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University, Accelerator for America and the Centre for Public Impact released West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI): A Model for Urban Workforce Development, a study we conducted along with Dan Vogel at the Centre for Public Impact and guided by […]
Announcing $895,000 of Support for WPSI and Green City Works

We are pleased to announce that we are the recipients of $895,000 in funds from the Connelly and William Penn Foundations. The funding will help to expand the reach of our West Philadelphia Sklils Initiative (WPSI) and support career growth and pathways out of intergenerational poverty, with a particular focus on Green City Works (GCW). […]
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative has become a leading workforce model.

The New Localism By Bruce Katz I am thrilled to co-author this newsletter with Megan Humes, a Senior Associate with the Centre for Public Impact (CPI), a nonprofit founded by Boston Consulting Group. For the past several months, Megan and I (ably assisted by Dan Vogel at CPI and guided by Matt Bergheiser and Sarah […]
How JPMorgan, Citizens, Wells Fargo and Fulton banks are vying for Philly dollars

The Philadelphia Inquirer By Joseph N. DiStefano With all the smartphone apps, megamergers and branch closings that have disrupted the banking business, entrenched Philadelphia banks and new competitors are scrambling to gather deposits, train entrepreneurs, and give grants and loans. — Fulton Bank, based in Lancaster and named for the steamboat developer, has opened a […]
Money Matters: More than $1.5M invested in workforce development, specialized training

Generocity By Sabrina Vourvoulias 1. JP Morgan Chase awards $1.5 million for expansion of UCD’s skills initiative. JPMorgan Chase & Co announced it will be investing $1.5 million over two years with University City District (UCD) to help expand job training now only available to West Philadelphians through UCD’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI). WPSI — which began in 2011 to […]
Realizing Career Dreams in University City

Meet three graduates of University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative who are on the path to realizing their career dreams with major Philadelphia employers.
Chase donates $1.5M to help Philadelphians find jobs

Philadelphia Business Journal By Jeff Blumenthal JPMorgan Chase & Co. will invest $1.5 million over two years to help more unemployed Philadelphia residents find quality jobs. Chase made the announcement Wednesday morning at a ribbon cutting for its latest branch in Grays Ferry. The money will go to the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, an organization […]