A Jobs Program that Works
Originally published by The Philadelphia Citizen Parkside resident Tyler Wood started her career as an IT specialist for the military. But by 2018, she had spent two years out of the workforce, staying home to care for her children. She felt she was ready to go back to work, but was nervous about interviewing with […]
Skills Initiative: The Next Chapter
A robust collection of stories about The Skills Initiative’s employer partners, program alumni, funders, and staff that showcases our impact and new brand!
A New Brand and Identity for Our Next Chapter
Today marks the start of an exciting new chapter for University City District’s workforce development subsidiary. We have rapidly expanded beyond the borders of West Philadelphia over the past few years, impacting new neighborhoods and new industries, and it was time to update and simplify our name. The growth and evolution of our vision has […]
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon Visits with BTT Participants
On Monday, September 16th, 2024, members of our and Skills Initiative teams joined representatives from The Wistar Institute, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., PIDC, Philadelphia Works, Inc., Life Sciences Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia Department of Commerce in hosting Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) at The Wistar Institute to visit the current cohort in the Biomedical Technician Training […]
Bob Casey voices support for Josh Shapiro as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential pick
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer U.S. Sen. Bob Casey expressed his support for Gov. Josh Shapiro as Kamala Harris’s potential running mate, following a news conference for employment nonprofit Philadelphia Works, Inc. Shapiro is “ready to take the job,” said Casey (D., Pa.), calling Shapiro a “great communicator who has shown through his […]
Senator Bob Casey Visits the Skills Initiative to Discuss American Rescue Plan Funding
On Friday, August 2nd, 2024, United States Senator Bob Casey joined representatives from Philadelphia Works, Inc., the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA), and the Philadelphia Area Labor-Management Committee (PALM) to share updates on the state of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment in the Southeast region. Announced in 2022, […]
Graduate Spotlight: Lois from Penn Dental
Lois Napper was laid off in 2016 after seven years at the Center for Responsible Funding. She had recently earned her associate’s degree in human services and had two young children, so she was determined to make her next step more than just a job—she was looking for an opportunity to meaningfully provide for her […]
Graduate Spotlight: Laura from CHOP
Laura Bien-Aime is on a mission. Only three years after graduating high school, Laura founded Laura’s Children Foundation to teach children simple strategies to lead healthier lives. Having primarily worked as a teacher’s assistant, she saw a West Philadelphia Skills Initiative flyer about training and job opportunities to join the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) […]
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 […]