Going beyond ‘train and pray’ jobs initiatives
Philadelphia Business Journal By Matt Bergheiser How can at-risk young adults gain the skills to set them on the path to career success? The answer lies in programs that help people connect to livable-wage jobs. Read Full Article
Citizens Bank Foundation awards $50,000 grant for UCD’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
On February 28th, Citizens Bank Foundation announced a $50,000 grant for University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), an innovative job training program that connects West Philadelphia employers to unemployed West Philadelphians. The check presentation was made during a training session for the Drexel College of Medicine Certified Medical Assistant pipeline, a partnership between […]
West Philadelphia Skills Initiative is now accepting applications from qualified 12th graders for the 2014 Summer Jobs Program
Each summer for the past 7 years, University City District has worked with high school students in our Summer Jobs Program. This program helps students access professional development, explore career pathways, build their work history, create mentoring connections to workplace professionals, and prepare for post-secondary education. A key learning objective is building awareness of the […]
Connecting WPSI Graduates to Employment
As a result of November’s Connect to Success program, four formerly unemployed West Philadelphians are back to work! This four-week training session prepared participants to locate, maintain, and succeed in careers that suit their interests and long-term goals. WPSI partnered with Allied Barton to provide a customized training curriculum, specific to security work and the […]
WPSI Impact Report 2014
WPSI Impact Report 2014
Updates from the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
SEEKING CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANTS UCD’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative is currently recruiting for the next Certified Medical Assistant Pipeline Program at Drexel College of Medicine. Register for an info session now by click here. IMPROVE YOUR FINANCIAL WELL-BEING! Join the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative for refreshments and fun, while learning how to improve your financial […]
West Philadelphia Skills Initiative – In The News
Shrinking the ‘skills gap’ “Millions of Americans are looking for work, but at least 3 million jobs are open. Rev. Sharpton highlights a group helping to bridge that ‘skills gap.’” Watch the video here.
WPSI-CHOP Partnership Grows
WPSI continues to strengthen its relationship with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Building on the success of our first CHOP program that resulted in immediate job offers for nearly 70% of participants, WPSI has launched a second Connect to Success that will prepare individuals for success as Patient Sitters at CHOP. CHOP also partnered with […]
Eight WPSI Interns Complete Penn Medicine Academy
On October 11, eight West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) interns completed their year-long internships in the Penn Medicine Health System. A partnership between Penn Medicine and UCD, the Penn Medicine Academy (PMA) Internship Program helps recent high school graduates transition to the working world. Students join the program during their senior year of high school, […]
Congratulations to our Summer Jobs Interns!
On Friday, August 9, UCD’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative celebrated 50 high school juniors’ and seniors’ completion of the 2013 Summer Jobs Program. The 6-week internship program helped these gifted young adults develop professional skills and explore career paths while working with CHOP, Drexel University, UC Green, the National Board of Medical Examiners, and many […]
Barra Foundation Awards Grant to Support UCD’s West Philadelphia Skills Center for Economic Advancement
The West Philadelphia Skills Center for Economic Advancement, UCD’s training site for preparing and connecting West Philadelphia residents to jobs with West Philadelphia’s major employers, will scale up its operations with a generous $82,000 grant from The Barra Foundation. Housed at Community College of Philadelphia West, the Center provides intensive training to address the soft […]
Area Employers Partner with UCD to Provide Summer Internships for 50 Students
In six short weeks, 50 high school students will enter the West Philadelphia workforce as UCD Summer Interns. This year UCD has expanded its Professional Internship Program (geared for 11th- and 12th-graders) from 25 to 50 slots, doubling our capacity to positively impact the lives of bright, motivated students seeking challenging and rewarding summer jobs. […]