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 […]
$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 […]
Graduate Spotlight: Haley from Philly Shipyard, Inc.
Haley Arici graduated from Widener University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Haley had successfully completed a coveted internship with McKean Defense Group, was a member of the Society of Women Engineers, Vice President of the Physics and Astronomy Club, and even served as a youth mentor for Transportation You (TrYOU) through Women […]
WPSI + PIDC Workforce Partnership Celebrates 100th Placement
PHILADELPHIA (November 27, 2023) – University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) and PIDC are excited to announce the completion of the inaugural Industrial Trades Program! This cohort marks the 100th placement of the partnership. In 2020, PIDC and the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative teamed up to extend the successful cohort-based job training […]