PHILADELPHIA (August 13, 2024) – The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative in partnership with PIDC has launched a Navy Yard Skills Initiative (NYSI) program to train Philadelphia residents for permanent, full-time, union careers starting at $26/hour with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD).
Recruitment for the program starts August 13 and job seekers will be able to submit applications until August 23 at 5 PM. Recruitment and application information can be found on The Navy Yard website (www.navyyard.org/skills).
The Management Assistant program seeks to connect Philadelphians with experience in office management for federal careers earning $26/hour. The program is the second partnership between the Skills Initiative and NSWCPD, building on the success of the 2023 Industrial Trades Program, which prepared program graduates for union skilled trades careers earning $25/hour. The NSWCPD facility at The Navy Yard employs approximately 2,800 people.
“It is thrilling to build on our relationship with PIDC’s Navy Yard Skills Initiative,” said Nigel Thijs, Technical Director for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division. “The skilled trades cohort we established last year has progressed tremendously and the quality of the individuals NYSI selected to enter the Navy workforce is outstanding. Expanding our collaboration to include administrative professionals, who are vital contributors to Navy mission, builds on the Pennsylvania Talent Pipeline initiatives, and we look forward to again working with NYSI to offer Philadelphia area residents a unique opportunity to serve their nation.”
PIDC and the Skills Initiative launched the Navy Yard Skills Initiative in 2020 to bring the Skills Initiative’s high-performing cohort-based jobs-driven training model to Navy Yard employers. The collaboration has resulted in nearly 200 graduates connecting with Navy Yard employers.
“This marks the 15th Navy Yard Skills Initiative cohort and we’re thrilled to once again partner with the U.S. Navy to connect Philadelphians with family-sustaining wages,” said Kate McNamara, PIDC’s Executive Vice President, Navy Yard. “It’s incredible to see how this workforce development program has successfully supported the diverse businesses at the Navy Yard, from shipbuilding and food manufacturing to healthcare and advanced life sciences. Despite the military base closure in 1996, the Navy’s presence remains strong, and they continue to be one of the largest employers at the Navy Yard. This partnership highlights our shared growth and commitment to creating quality, well-paying career opportunities for Philadelphians.”
Program Information
Recruitment for the 3-week paid program begins on Tuesday, August 13, and applications can be submitted until August 23. Program participants will practice the skills needed to be successful as federal employees in a clerical position and receive onboarding support as they navigate the process to obtaining all required clearances. To apply, candidates must be a resident of Philadelphia county, commit to the full training schedule, possess a high school diploma or GED, and have previous experience using Microsoft Office Suite in an office setting.
Additional information on the program can be found at www.navyyard.org/skills
About the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) is one of the nation’s most successful workforce development organizations. For 10 plus years, the Skills Initiative has solidified its role as one of the highest-performing workforce intermediaries in the country by building customized talent solutions that bridge the divide between unemployed Philadelphians seeking opportunity and employers seeking talent. The Skills Initiative focuses on professional development and career coaching for adults. www.philadelphiaskills.org
About PIDC and the Philadelphia Navy Yard
PIDC is Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation. Since acquiring the 1,200-acre site from the federal government in 2000, PIDC has been the master developer and site operator of the Navy Yard. PIDC’s mission—to spur investment, support business growth, and facilitate developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia—strongly informs its strategy for the Navy Yard, where the focus is on building a cohesive community that fosters employment, innovation, and production. PIDC manages all aspects of the property’s management and development, including master planning, leasing, property management, infrastructure development, utility operation, and structuring development transactions. www.pidcphila.com | www.navyyard.org
About Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division
NSWCPD provides the Navy’s primary technical expertise and facilities for both naval machinery research and development and naval machinery lifecycle engineering. NSWCPD is responsible for the machinery systems core equity of the Ship and Ship Systems Product Area for the United States Navy and serves as a central point for academia and industry to join forces with Navy technical experts to develop solutions to needs in naval machinery. Consistent with its core equity responsibility, NSWCPD fulfills key functions including research, design, development, shipboard and land-based test and evaluation, acquisition support, in-service engineering, Fleet engineering, integrated logistics support, and concept and overall life cycle engineering.
