Position yourself for the perfect position.
We’re an accelerator for the exceptional. We champion economic mobility by connecting great talent with great jobs.
Position yourself for the perfect position.
We’re an accelerator for the exceptional. We champion economic mobility by connecting great talent with great jobs.
Position yourself for the perfect position.
We’re an accelerator for the exceptional. We champion economic mobility by connecting great talent with great jobs.
Overview
The Skills Initiative designs and runs programs which connect you to the tools and supports needed to build a career that is meaningful to you. Upon completing one of The Skills Initiative’s training programs, participants have an opportunity to interview for a job with our employer partners. Although The Skills Initiative does not guarantee job placements, 89.9% of our participants secure a position upon graduation.
To join our career development program, you must be unemployed, live in Philadelphia and have a high school diploma or GED. Certain programs require that you be a resident of West Philadelphia, or have additional education, work, or residential requirements. Please read each program description carefully!
How To Apply
Want to know how our application process works? Here’s a brief explanation:
Please note that because requirements differ for each program, applicants need to complete a separate application for every open Skills Initiative program. Each program is targeted toward one job with a specific employer.
Qualified applicants are invited to interview with a Skills Initiative team member.
All applicants are notified if they are accepted to The Skills Initiative program.
If you are accepted into a program, you will work on your application for the target job during your training. Each program is tailored to prepare you for success in any future role, but The Skills Initiative’s programs will specifically prepare you for the employer partner, maximizing your chances of success. The Skills Initiative’s coaching reinforces your existing transferrable job skills and teaches new ways to apply them to help reach your career goals. You will interview for the job during the program. 95% of our graduates have received a job offer after graduating from our program.
The Skills Initiative provides extensive interview preparation during its training program. Final hiring decisions will be made by individual employers.
Current Programs
There are currently no open programs. Please sign up for our email list below to learn about future opportunities!
Who should apply?
Compassionate customer service professionals who are comfortable speaking on the phone for long periods of time and using a computer for data entry. Experience working in a call center is a plus. Commitment to the full training schedule (below) is required:
- In-person sessions, Mon – Fri, 9AM – 12PM, 1/13/2025 – 1/17/2025 and 1/27/2025 – 1/31/2025
- Facilitated group conversations via Zoom, Mon – Fri, 9AM – 12PM, 1/21/2025 – 1/24/2025
- Approximately 2 hours of daily reading and reflection exercise outside of sessions
- One self-scheduled, 30-minute Career Coaching session per week via Zoom
This is a hybrid in-person and virtual program. Consistent access to a laptop or desktop computer, broadband internet, a webcam, and a word processing program like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or similar are required to complete the training.
What is The Skills Initiative?
The Skills Initiative designs and runs programs which connect you to the tools and supports needed to build a career that is meaningful to you.
In this program, we offer:
- Cutting-edge job connection strategies resulting in 93% of graduates finding employment.
- A $150 weekly stipend while in training at The Skills Initiative.
The opportunity to interview for open, full-time remote Access Services Associate positions at a Penn Medicine call center starting at $18.58/hour.
Are you eligible?
All Applicants Must:
- Be a resident of Philadelphia
- Commit to the full training schedule
- Possess a high school diploma or GED
- Be unemployed
- Be tobacco-free
- Be computer savvy
- Candidates for the Access Services Associate Program must provide proof of having received the COVID-19 vaccine by Monday, December 16, 2024, to be considered.
- Employment at Penn Medicine requires an annual influenza (flu) shot and other vaccines.
Learn more!
Friday, December 6 at 11 a.m. • Register here!
The deadline is Thursday, December 12 at 5 p.m.
The Biomedical Technician Training Program prepares graduates with the workplace and technical skills to be successful in the life science industry.
Aseptic Manufacturing Technicians are responsible for maintaining a sterile lab environment and documenting the processes of biomedical manufacturers in supporting the creation of cell therapies.
In this program, we offer:
- A $150 weekly stipend during the first 10 weeks of the program
- A $7,840 stipend distributed through the training, lab orientation, and externship portions of the program (14 weeks total)
- A college-adapted course to provide participants with a foundation in the life sciences
- For select candidates, the opportunity to interview for open roles starting at $27/hr with Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Eligibility requirements:
To be considered, all applicants for the Biomedical Technician Training Program must be a resident of Philadelphia; possess a high school diploma or GED; if hired, willing to complete shift work including working overnights and weekends; commit to the full training schedule below:
- Participant Agreement and Program Orientation (invite only) (12/17 and 12/19)
- 10 weeks of in-person classes at The Wistar Institute (3601 Spruce Street), Mondays and Thursdays (6:30 – 8 P.M.), (1/06 – 3/13)
- Facilitated group conversations via Zoom, Tuesdays (6:30 – 8:30 P.M.), (1/07 – 3/11)
- 2 weeks of in-person lab orientation at The Wistar Institute, Monday – Friday (9 A.M. – 5 P.M.), (3/17– 3/28)
- 12 weeks of externship at Iovance (4/07 – 6/27)
- Approximately (5) hours of weekly reading and reflection exercises
This is a hybrid in-person and virtual program, so broadband internet is required to complete the training.
Learn more:
Attend the information session:
- Monday , November 18 at 3 p.m. • Register here
Deadline is Friday, November 22, 2024 at 5 p.m.
WPSI currently has two open programs:
- Fashion The Future Forward program in partnership with Grant Blvd
- Nursing Assistant Training Program in partnership with Penn Medicine
See below for more information on both!
Upcoming Programs
- More info coming soon!
Sign up to
hear about job opportunities!
What Alumni Say
Who should apply?
Customer service-oriented individuals who are comfortable working a physically demanding job and have a minimum of 1 year experience working in environmental services. Must be available to work any of five shifts, as assigned.
Commitment to the full training schedule (below) is a must:
- In-person sessions Mon-Fri 7/22/2024 – 8/9/2024, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Additional one on one and small group virtual meetings several times a week between 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Approximately 2 hours of daily reading and reflection exercises
- One self-scheduled 30-minute Career Coaching session per week on Zoom
This is a hybrid in-person and virtual program. Consistent access to a laptop or desktop computer, broadband internet, a webcam, and a word processing program like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or similar are required to complete the training.
What is WPSI?
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) designs and runs programs which connect you to the tools and supports needed to build a meaningful career.
In this program, we offer:
Cutting-edge job connection strategies resulting in 93% of graduates finding employment.
A $150 weekly stipend during WPSI program participation.
The opportunity to interview for Custodial Services openings with University of Pennsylvania starting at $21.62/hr.
Are you eligible?
All applicants must:
Be a resident of Philadelphia
Commit to the full training schedule
Possess a high school diploma, GED, or equivalency
Be unemployed
Be available to work any of five, full-time shifts as assigned upon hire
Have a minimum of 1-year verifiable experience working in housekeeping, custodial, environmental services, or professional cleaning services
Provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by July 2nd, 2024
Deadline is Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Learn more:
Application Process
Complete Online Application
Please note that because requirements differ for each program, applicants need to complete a separate application for every open WPSI program. Each program is targeted toward one job with a specific employer.
In-Person or Virtual Interview
Qualified applicants are invited to interview with a WPSI team member.
All applicants are notified if they are accepted to the WPSI program.
Complete WPSI Training Program
If you are accepted into a program, you will work on your application for the target job during your training. Each program is tailored to prepare you for success in any future role, but WPSI’s program will specifically prepare you for the employer partner, maximizing your chances of success. WPSI’s coaching reinforces your existing transferrable job skills and teaches new ways to apply them to help reach your career goals. You will interview for the job during the program. 95% of our graduates have received a job offer after graduating from our program.
Interview for Target Job
Complete Online Application
Please note that because requirements differ for each program, applicants need to complete a separate application for every open WPSI program. Each program is targeted toward one job with a specific employer.
In-Person or Virtual Interview
Qualified applicants are invited to interview with a WPSI team member.
All applicants are notified if they are accepted to the WPSI program.
Complete Training Program
If you are accepted into a program, you will work on your application for the target job during your training. Each program is tailored to prepare you for success in any future role, but WPSI’s program will specifically prepare you for the employer partner, maximizing your chances of success. WPSI’s coaching reinforces your existing transferrable job skills and teaches new ways to apply them to help reach your career goals. You will interview for the job during the program. 95% of our graduates have received a job offer after graduating from our program.
Interview for Target Job
WPSI provides extensive interview preparation during its training program. Final hiring decisions will be made by individual employers.
Start Your New Job!
Please note that because requirements differ for each program, applicants need to complete a separate application for every open WPSI program. Each program is targeted toward one job with a specific employer.
Qualified applicants are invited to interview with a WPSI team member.
All applicants are notified if they are accepted to the WPSI program.
If you are accepted into a program, you will work on your application for the target job during your training. Each program is tailored to prepare you for success in any future role, but WPSI’s program will specifically prepare you for the employer partner, maximizing your chances of success. WPSI’s coaching reinforces your existing transferrable job skills and teaches new ways to apply them to help reach your career goals. You will interview for the job during the program. 95% of our graduates have received a job offer after graduating from our program.
WPSI provides extensive interview preparation during its training program. Final hiring decisions will be made by individual employers.
