On Friday, August 2nd, 2024, United States Senator Bob Casey joined representatives from Philadelphia Works, Inc., the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA), and the Philadelphia Area Labor-Management Committee (PALM) to share updates on the state of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment in the Southeast region. Announced in 2022, the $22.8 million Good Jobs Challenge award through the American Rescue Plan was granted to Philadelphia Works to develop The Coordinated Southeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Development System, with support from the PEA, PALM, and the Skills Initiative.
During the brief event, Senator Casey, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative Executive Director Cait Garozzo, PhilaWorks CEO Pat Clancy, Philadelphia Energy Authority Director of Workforce Initiatives Kate Lunger, and Skills Initiative graduate Taylor Hall each spoke about the impact of the Good Jobs Challenge award on the career trajectories of individuals and the greater impact within local communities.
Senator Casey was a strong advocate for the American Rescue Plan, and visited the Skills Initiative to see the program in action. “We’re grateful to see this program operational [and] we’re grateful to see here in West Philadelphia, the Skills Initiative, thriving and preparing folks here in the region, the future workforce of the region, for training in careers like health care and the building trades,” Casey said.
“The EDA’s Good Jobs Challenge investment is a critical catalyst in the journey to advocate for greater impact across the region,” said Cait Garozzo. “It will enable us to expand our reach, deepen our partnerships, and create even more pathways to prosperity for local residents.”
Following the conclusion of the event, Senator Casey visited with participants in a Penn Medicine cohort training for roles as Access Services Associates to hear more about their experiences and watch a session in action. The participants completed their training today and will soon begin receiving offers for roles with Penn Medicine.
