Graduate Spotlight: Felicia from Allied Universal
When Felicia Tucker completed a 2018 Allied Universal program, she didn’t know that the Skills Initiative would continue to play a role in her life. “I didn’t realize that once we were done with the program that we’d still be in touch as much as we’ve been,” she shared. She loved receiving alumni newsletters and […]
The Skills Initiative is now hiring a Recruitment Coordinator and a Career Specialist
The Skills Initiative is now hiring a Recruitment Coordinator and a Career Specialist: Recruitment Coordinator University City District (UCD) is a non-profit, special services district that leverages a unique partnership of universities, health systems, large and small businesses, and community groups to invest in public spaces, address public maintenance and public safety issues, bring life […]
Announcing the Fourth Class of WPSI Scholars
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) is pleased to name the fourth annual class of WPSI Scholars. The twenty-five selected Skills Initiative alumni will each receive funding in varying amounts from $2,500-$5,000 for tuition and associated fees, totaling $97,500. To date, this is the largest total amount awarded to a single cohort of Scholars. This […]
Graduate Spotlight: Antoinette from Penn Medicine
In October 2020 Antoinette Moore, like many others, was without a job during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I was doing prenatal health, working in the community. Then a bunch of us were let go, and I was doing odds and end jobs but nothing was really sticking. At that time I was really unemployed, and no […]
New collective brings Philly’s booming life sciences industry under one umbrella
Originally published by Technical.ly The Keystone LifeSci Collaborative is considered the first regional sector partnership of its kind, according to organizers. Words by: Sarah Huffman • Edited by: Danya Henninger As the life sciences industry in Philadelphia continues to build momentum, stakeholders now have a single hub to come together and discuss sector challenges. The Keystone […]
This Philly nonprofit received $4 million from Amazon shareholder MacKenzie Scott
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer Cait Garozzo was hopeful when she received an email to schedule a call with someone working on behalf of private philanthropists. Garozzo, executive director of the nonprofit West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), had a meeting with members from a nonprofit consulting group in December to discuss funding. Two […]
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 […]
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott Gifts $4 Million to the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative to Accelerate and Sustain Program’s Impact
Today, we at the Skills Initiative are thrilled to share that University City District has received a $4 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott through her charitable organization Yield Giving to benefit the work of WPSI. The unrestricted gift will accelerate our goals of providing opportunities for job seekers, program alumni, and incumbent workers to […]
Industry Leaders Launch Keystone LifeSci Collaborative, a New Partnership to Support Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Life Science Sector
First sector partnership of its kind convenes life sciences companies from across six counties at inaugural event.
Graduate Spotlight: Monique from Penn Medicine
Six months ago, Monique Torres began working at Penn Medicine as a Medical Assistant, but her dream of working in the medical field began when she was just fourteen. “My mom’s best friend, who I call my aunt, passed away when I was young of leukemia cancer. Times like that are usually when you […]
Grant Blvd and WPSI Unveil “Fashion the Future Forward” Pilot Program
PHILADELPHIA [January 30, 2024] – University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) and Grant Blvd, a West Philadelphia-based sustainable fashion brand, announce the launch of a groundbreaking pilot partnership – “Fashion the Future Forward.” This collaborative initiative aims to recruit, train, and employ formerly incarcerated women in sustainable career pathways that provide a living […]
Award-Winning Biotech Training Program to Begin Recruitment with New Employer Partner in Life Sciences
PHILADELPHIA (January 16 2024) – The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative and The Wistar Institute are collaborating once again with support from the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia to bring their award-winning expansion of Wistar’s Biomedical Technician Training Program to a new partner, VintaBio, Inc. This workforce development training […]
