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
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!

Biomedical Technician Training: Research Technician Program Earn $17/hour to start with CHOP TRAINING PROGRAM: 6/20/23 – 9/22/23

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) and The Wistar Institute built the Biomedical Technician Training: Research Technician Program to provide candidates with the workplace and technical skills required to build a meaningful career in the Life Sciences industry. Program completion requires in-person attendance at The Wistar Institute and consistent online participation.

Through this program, graduates will be prepared to connect to Research Technician roles where they will support research procedures through care and maintenance of equipment, performing calculations while maintaining electronic databases, and checking records/results.

In this program, we offer:

  • Cutting-edge job connection strategies resulting in 96% of WPSI graduates finding employment
  • A $150 weekly stipend during the first 10 weeks of the program 
  • 2 weeks of on-the-job training compensation at $14 per hour
  • College-adapted classroom training to prepare participants for a career in the Life Sciences Industry
  • The opportunity to interview for open Research Technician positions at CHOP starting at $17/hour

Commitment to the full training schedule is required:

  • 10 weeks of In-person sessions, Mondays and Thursdays (6:30 – 8:00 P.M.), (June 26 – Sept 7)
  • Facilitated group conversations via Zoom, Tuesdays (6:30 – 8:30 P.M.), (June 20 – Sept 5)
  • 2 weeks of in-person lab sessions, Monday – Friday (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.) (Sept 11 – Sept 22)
  • Approximately (5) hours of weekly reading and reflection exercises  

Who should apply?

Detail-oriented, science-curious individuals that enjoy working with their hands and have an interest in working alongside scientists in a research lab. 

Are you eligible?

All applicants must:

  • Be detail-oriented and science curious
  • Be a resident of Philadelphia
  • Possess a high school diploma or GED;
  • Provide proof of having received full COVID-19 vaccination by June 9th, 2023 

Deadline is Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 5 p.m.

Learn more:

Biomedical Technician Training: Research Technician Program Earn $17/hour to start with CHOP TRAINING PROGRAM: 6/20/23 – 9/22/23

Who should apply?

Strong written and verbal communicators that are comfortable managing their own time and working with patients in a clinical context. Complete schedule flexibility and the ability to commit to overnight shifts are a must. Commitment to the full training schedule (below with additional dates to follow) is required for program completion:
 
  • Professional development sessions on Zoom, Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m., from 6/5 – 8/7
  • Certified Nursing Assistant Training (lectures, labs, and clinicals) in-person, Tuesday – Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., from 6/6 – 8/16
  • One self-scheduled, 30-minute Career Coaching session per month via Zoom
 
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.

What is the Patient Care Technician Program?

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) built this program with Community College of Philadelphia to provide candidates with the certification and workplace skills to build a career in healthcare. Program completion requires in-person attendance at several locations, consistent online participation, and passing all certification requirements.

In this program, we offer:

  • Cutting-edge job connection strategies resulting in 96% of graduates finding employment.

  • A $150 weekly stipend while enrolled in the program. 

  • No-cost Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and testing.
  • The opportunity to interview for open overnight Patient Care Technician positions at Penn Medicine starting at $20/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
  • No-cost Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and testing.
  • The opportunity to interview for open overnight Patient Care Technician positions at Penn Medicine starting at $20/hour.

Deadline is Thursday, May 4th, 2023 at 5 p.m.

Learn more:

Attend a virtual information session:

 

Penn Medicine logo
WPSI IS RECRUITING ACROSS PHILADELPHIA for training and job opportunities as a Clinic Aide in partnership with CHOP!

Who should apply?

Customer service professionals with the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment. Clinic Aides will receive the supervised training, experience, and support to register for the Medical Assistant Certification exam without enrolling in a certification training program so the desire to grow professionally at CHOP is a plus.

 

Commitment to the following full training schedule is a must:

  • In-person facilitated sessions, Monday – Friday, 9am – 12pm, 5/1/2023 – 5/19/2023
  • Additional one-on-one and small group virtual meetings several times a week between 1pm – 3pm
  • Approximately 2 hours of daily reading and reflection exercises
  • One self-scheduled 30-minute Career Coaching session per week on Zoom

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 96% of graduates finding employment.
  • A $150 weekly stipend while in training at WPSI. 
  • The opportunity to interview for open, full-time Clinic Aide positions at CHOP’s West Philadelphia campus starting at $15.75/hour

Are you eligible?

All applicants must:

  • Be a resident of Philadelphia
  • Commit to the full training schedule
  • Hold a high school diploma or GED
  • Be unemployed
  • Be tobacco-free
  • Provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination by April 21st, 2023

Deadline is Thursday, April 6th, 2023 at 5pm.

Learn more:

Attend a virtual information session:
 

WPSI currently has two open programs:

  • No-cost Medical Assistant Certification in partnership with Penn Medicine
  • Union Apprentice Program in partnership with Philly Shipyard, the Navy Yard, and PIDC

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