Replicate Our Model
- 93% of program graduates placed into jobs
- 83% one-year retention at job placements
- $17.96 average hourly wage for graduates.
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) has developed a successful workforce development program that provides major Philadelphia employers with high-quality candidates, while working to address the issues of unemployment in high-poverty zip codes. Over the last decade, WPSI has refined its approach to recruiting, training and staffing using rigorous data analysis, extensive feedback from alumni and employer partners, and the latest research in human resource development. This continual improvement has driven consistently impressive outcomes:
- 91% of program graduates placed into career-track jobs
- 83% one-year retention at job placements
- $17.96 average hourly wage for graduates
Philosophy & Approach
- High unemployment within WPSI’s programmatic boundaries is caused by a lack of access to opportunities, not a lack of skilled individuals.
- Local employers struggle to fill entry-level jobs because of their selection process, not because of a lack of qualified candidates.
- Working with WPSI is a good business decision for employer partners.
Philosophy & Approach
- High unemployment within WPSI’s programmatic boundaries is caused by a lack of access to opportunities, not a lack of skilled job seekers.
- Local employers struggle to staff entry-level jobs because of their selection process, not because of a lack of qualified candidates.
- Working with WPSI is a good business decision for employer partners.
Learn more about WPSI’s Philosophy and Approach here:
Why WPSI Works
To successfully match employers to qualifying job seekers, WPSI spends several months working with employers to find a high-quality, career-ladder, entry-level job and to understand the requirements to succeed in the target job. WPSI staff look for jobs that do not require college degrees. WPSI uses this research to create a recruiting process to find qualified candidates, and to craft a custom professional development curriculum. After the program, WPSI supports graduates through the job interview and onboarding process. Finally, WPSI provides lifetime career exploration and career coaching support to alumni of the program.
WPSI’s team spends 3-6 months interviewing and observing employees in the target position to understand what hard and soft skills are necessary to succeed in the job.
Every aspect of WPSI’s workforce programming is adaptable to meet the needs of employers and participants. WPSI uses the information gained during the employer onboarding process to create a recruiting and interview process that identifies qualified candidates for the target job. WPSI’s curriculum development team creates a professional development curriculum to provide a foundational skills training program that makes executive-level career coaching relevant for entry-level workers and maximizes participants’ chance of success during employer interviews and on the job.
WPSI guides participants through the process of preparing for the application and interview with the target employer. This coaching support does not end once the participant receives a job; WPSI staff continue to support participants until their first day on the job, reducing attrition that happens due to failure to complete background checks, assessments, and other onboarding requirements.
WPSI has been tracking data closely since its first year of operation. All major programmatic decisions are data-informed and incorporate the latest research in business management, organizational dynamics, career exploration and adult education.
Full Program Replication
Overview
WPSI works with organizations in other cities to fully replicate every aspect of our program. Our team has dedicated staff to help your organization learn and implement our practices. We provide an extensive toolkit, on-site visits, ongoing virtual support, and data collection and analysis to ensure your success. WPSI works with partners to support their fundraising efforts by meeting with potential funders and sharing the value of WPSI’s approach for workforce development efforts.
Replication Models
- Identifying and engaging employer partners
- Building long-term employer partnerships
- Creating a curriculum Recruiting excellent job candidates
- Collecting and analyzing data to demonstrate long-term impact
- Creating an organizational infrastructure
Replication Partners
Full Program Replication
Overview
WPSI’s consulting practice collaborates with organizations in other cities to fully replicate every aspect of our program. Our team has dedicated staff to help your organization learn and implement our practices. We provide an extensive toolkit, on-site visits, ongoing virtual support, and data collection and analysis to ensure your success. WPSI works with partners to support their fundraising efforts by meeting with potential funders and sharing the value of WPSI’s approach for workforce development efforts.
Replication Models
- Identifying and engaging employer partners
- Building long-term employer partnerships
- Creating a curriculum Recruiting excellent job candidates
- Collecting and analyzing data to demonstrate long-term impact
- Creating an organizational infrastructure
Replication Partners
WPSI looks forward to partnering with peer workforce development organizations, anchor collaboratives, and other established organizations looking to create an effective professional development and talent placement program for local employers.
Current Clients
WPSI is collaborating with PIDC's Navy Yard team to create a program that connects local employers to talent.
Visit PIDC Navy Yard
WPSI is partnering with Temple University to help them link North Philadelphia's workforce training programs, local residents and major employers.
Visit Temple University
