Great news! The City has been making record investments in organizations creating innovative workforce training programs that connect Philadelphia residents to emerging career pathways within world-class business sectors. Funding opportunities are also available for businesses that create new employment opportunities.
The programs listed below are from the Department of Commerce.
Commerce works to support a thriving economy for all people who live and work in our city. This includes positioning Philadelphia as a global destination across all business sectors. Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Strategic Tech, Trade, Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics are some of the key world-class industries in our city. The more we equip businesses, large and small, with access to resources, the more we can incentivize residents with quality jobs that pay a living wage. Workforce Solutions team is convening workforce partners, supporting the talent needs of employers, increasing equitable access to training opportunities for residents and growing quality jobs.
Funding opportunities for businesses
that create new and more equitable employment opportunities for Philadelphians.
Fair Chance Hiring Initiative (FCHI)
The Fair Chance Hiring Initiative selected three organizations to develop innovative workforce training for justice impacted individuals to prepare for and connect to sustainable career pathways that pay a living wage. The selected organizations will equip the participants in these specific trainings with viable skills to thrive in the fashion manufacturing, building trades, and green economy industries. In addition to this funding opportunity, FCHI can reimburse local employers who hire justice-impacted individuals. The goal of this program is to refer Philadelphia job seekers returning from incarceration, probation or parole for open positions and providing financial incentives to businesses in the form of wage reimbursements and employment retention grants. Businesses are encouraged to learn more about this funding opportunity.
Quality Jobs Program (QJP)
The Department of Commerce launched the Quality Jobs Program, a fund that invests in eligible businesses creating new full-time employment opportunities that pay a living wage and include health insurance benefits for Philadelphia residents. The goal of this pilot program is to attract, retain and help businesses grow in our city while incentivizing employers to hire Philadelphia residents in jobs that pay family-sustaining wages. Businesses are encouraged to learn more about this funding opportunity.
Investments in local organizations
that equitably helps residents prepare for and connect with career pathways.
Workforce Solutions Grant
Four organizations have been selected to receive a combined $1 million through the Workforce Solutions Grant to develop innovative workforce solutions for local job seekers to prepare for and connect to sustainable career pathways that pay a living wage. The Workforce Solutions grant invests in programs from organizations that strive to elevate evidence-informed approaches to address specific challenges Black, brown, and other historically disadvantaged Philadelphia residents face when preparing for and entering the workforce.
The selected organizations are:
- University City Science Center (UCSC)
- Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc
- Per Scholas – Philadelphia
- Community College of Philadelphia
To learn more about the Workforce Solution Grants, please reach out to the workforce solutions team Talent.Development@phila.gov
PHL: Most Diverse Tech Hub
Six organizations have been selected to receive a combined $750,000 through the PHL: Most Diverse Tech Hub initiative, which aims to position Philadelphia as the top—and most diverse—tech hubs in the nation. Through this initiative, the City is investing in organizations and programs that enhance technology skills for the future talent pipeline, provide resources to startup tech businesses, enhance the Philadelphia Tech Industry Partnership and generate partnerships between local colleges and universities including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The selected organizations are:
- Technically Media for the Tech Industry Partnership Management
- The Enterprise Center for the Most Diverse Tech Startup Pitch Competition
- Mom Your Business for the Most Diverse Tech Startup Pitch Competition
- Venture for America for Tech talent pipeline development
- Coded by Kids for Tech talent pipeline development
- Diverse Force for Tech talent pipeline development
Connect with the Director of Strategic Tech Initiatives Tempest.Carter@phila.gov
Workforce Professionals Alliance
The Workforce Professional Alliance (WPA), funded by the Workforce Solutions team, is a partnership of about 26 workforce development organizations committed to increasing access to career readiness programs for Philadelphians. The WPA works to connect, advocate, and drive the impact of workforce development services in Philadelphia. To learn more about the WPA or apply for membership, contact the workforce solutions team at talent.development@phila.gov
Investments in local organizations
that advance neighborhood revitalization efforts which in turn creates new employment opportunities within neighborhood commercial areas.
PHL Taking Care of Business Program
The PHL Taking Care of Business Clean Corridors Program creates employment opportunities while keeping Philadelphia’s neighborhood commercial corridors clean by partnering with local small businesses and organizations. PHL TCB expanded commercial corridor cleaning efforts from 49 to 85 commercial corridors around the city and created over 200 jobs for local workers at minimum $15 per hour plus workforce training and certifications. TCB Cleaning Ambassadors are champions of litter reduction and environmental care. The program is part of a larger effort by the Department of Commerce to enhance and promote vibrant commercial corridors.
Questions? Contact the Office of Corridor Improvements and Business Services via email business@phila.gov or call 215-683-2100.
Neighborhood Economic Development Grants
The latest investments from Commerce’s Office of Neighborhood Economic Development include 15 commercial development projects, $4.8M total awarded which is projected to create approximately more than 600 local jobs. The Neighborhood Economic Development (NED) Grant helps fund planning, pre-development, and development costs for neighborhood nonprofits for projects that revitalize neighborhoods, provide employment opportunities and goods and services to residents.
