WPSI graduate on the Job at Allied Universal

Job Seekers

Overview

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) 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 WPSI’s training programs, participants have an opportunity to interview for a job with our employer partners. Although WPSI does not guarantee job placements, 95% of our participants secure a position upon graduation.

To join WPSI’s 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!

Application Process

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | Job Seekers

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.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | Job Seekers

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.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | Job Seekers
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | application icon

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.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | interview icon

In-Person or Virtual Interview

Qualified applicants are invited to interview with a WPSI team member.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | notification icon

All applicants are notified if they are accepted to the WPSI program.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | training icon

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.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | interview icon

Interview for Target Job

WPSI provides extensive interview preparation during its training program. Final hiring decisions will be made by individual employers.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | network icon

Start Your New Job!

Application Process

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | Job Seekers
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | application icon

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.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | interview icon

In-Person or Virtual Interview

Qualified applicants are invited to interview with a WPSI team member.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | notification icon

All applicants are notified if they are accepted to the WPSI program.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | training icon

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.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | interview icon

Interview for Target Job

WPSI provides extensive interview preparation during its training program. Final hiring decisions will be made by individual employers.
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) | network icon

Start Your New Job!

Current Programs

There are currently no open programs. Please sign up for our email list below to learn about future opportunities!

Recruiting for Clinical Lab Assistant opportunities at CHOP!
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) and CHOP built the Clinical Lab Assistant Program to provide Clinical Lab Assistant I students with 60+ hours of professional development and career coaching with WPSI and an 8-week, hands-on Phlebotomy training at CHOP. After program and training completion, students become full-time Clinical Lab Assistants with a starting salary of $17/hr with CHOP. 
 
This is a hybrid program that meets in-person and virtually. 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. 

In this program, we offer:

  • Cutting-edge job connection strategies resulting in 93% of WPSI graduates finding employment 
  • A $150 weekly stipend while in training with WPSI 
  • The opportunity for $15/hr while in Phlebotomy training at CHOP (no benefits) after WPSI program completion 
  • The opportunity for $17/hr with benefits as Clinical Lab Assistants with CHOP after Phlebotomy training

Commitment to the full training schedule is required:

  • Facilitated group conversations via Zoom, Mon – Fri, 9AM – 12PM, 1/16 – 2/2 
  • Additional one-on-one and small group virtual meetings several times a week between 1PM- 3PM 
  • 8 weeks of paid in-person on-the-job Phlebotomy training at CHOP, Mon- Fri, 9AM-5PM, 2/5- 3/29 
  • Approximately 2 hours of daily reading and reflection exercises 

Who should apply?

Compassionate, patient-focused individuals with customer service experience that are comfortable working with blood.

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
  • Provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination by December 18, 2023

Learn more:

Attend the virtual information session:
 

Deadline is Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 5 p.m.

Recruiting for Clinical Lab Assistant opportunities at CHOP!

Who should apply?

Compassionate, patient-focused individuals with customer service experience who are comfortable working with blood. Commitment to the full training schedule (below) is required:
 
  • Facilitated group conversations via Zoom, Mon – Fri, 9 A.M. – 12 P.M., October 9 – October 27
  • 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
 
This is a virtual program so 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 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 enrolled in the program. 

  • The opportunity to interview for open Patient Care Technician roles starting at $20/hour with benefits at various DaVita locations.

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
  • Provide proof of having received the COVID-19 vaccine by September 28, 2023 to be considered

Deadline is Friday, September 22, 2023 at 5 p.m.

Learn more:

Attend a virtual information session:

Watch a virtual information session.

Who should apply?

Problem-solvers with a safety-first mindset who enjoy working with their hands and performing physical labor. Commitment to the full training schedule (below) is required:  
  • In-Person Sessions, Mon-Fri, 9 A.M. – 12 P.M., (October 30 – November 17)  
  • 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

What is the Industrial Trades Program?

The Industrial Trades Program was built to prepare and connect graduates for a two-year opportunity as union trainees with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) at the Navy Yard. Trainees learn theory instruction and complete hands-on training to become either Marine Machinery Mechanics or Electricians to support naval machinery functionality.   

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 $25/hour with benefits as Union Trainees with NSWCPD.

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 able to pass a physical

Deadline is Friday, September 29, 2023 at 5 p.m.

Learn more:

Watch a virtual information session, or attend a virtual information session:

 

WPSI currently has two open programs:

  • Dialysis Patient Care Technician at DaVita
  • Industrial Trades Program with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division

See below for more information on both!

Upcoming Programs

  • More info coming soon!

Sign up to hear about job opportunities!

What Alumni Say

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative has changed my life. When I came here, I knew I had the skills to land a job, but working closely with the staff, they brought out my potential to build a future career and to pull out my best self. I know that I am capable of doing whatever I put my mind to because I have a phenomenal group of people behind me.

-Tyler, Brightview, Landscape Technician, 2019
My experience at WPSI was life changing. I finally found a way to use my skills and an opportunity to gain the experience that I desperately needed in the medical field. Along with gaining connections, I also gained relationships with an amazingly supportive group of people. I now have a career that I’ve been working towards since I got my certification and I am excited to see what the future holds

-Aquanette, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2018
The program will not only help you in regards to your career path, it will help you in your everyday life as well. Whether it’s communication, mindfulness, or just coming out of your shell, WPSI will aid in your progress in all areas.

-Collin, Allied Universal, 2019
WPSI is not just a place that helps you find a ‘job’. It helps you find yourself, life time friends, goals, financial intelligence, and they help you organize your goals.

-Dom, University of Pennsylvania's Facilities and Real Estate Services, 2019
This program had more to offer than I expected. I learned how to network, engage with others, set goals, be on time, and save money. WPSI wasn’t just job placement, it was the tools you need to get through life challenges.

-Alex, University of Pennsylvania's Facilities and Real Estate Services, 2019