Philadelphia is filled with organizations committed to advancing workforce development! The Workforce Professional Alliance (WPA) is a collaborative of high-impact organizations focused on developing and executing talent solutions for Philadelphia. The WPA’s membership is made up of more than 20 workforce development organizations representing more than $70 million in workforce investment in Philadelphia. The WPA works to deliver high-quality services, training solutions and outcomes for both employers and job seekers.

The WPA, spearheaded by the Department of Commerce, is here to help:

  • Employers who are looking to broaden their talent pool, increase employee retention, or find highly trained talent;
  • Philadelphia residents looking to make a career change, return to the workforce, build up skill sets, and start a new journey; and
  • Organizations that are connecting job seekers to high quality training, in-demand job skills and want to become WPA members.

How we help our workforce

The Department of Commerce Workforce Solutions team released its Workforce Professional Alliance (WPA) Resource Guide (PDF) highlighting programs and services offered by the member organizations. Check it out! The WPA works together to leverage the knowledge, scale and experience of member organizations to expand and strengthen the workforce system in our city. The WPA  facilitates connections amongst job seekers, providers, and employers.

WPA members provide a variety of solutions to employers including:

  • Sourcing and training talent
  • Supporting internal talent career progression
  • Providing low cost or free technical training
  • Developing customs solutions for hiring and retaining talent

Find resources and contact us

The Department of Commerce Office of Business Development and Workforce Solutions works to attract international and domestic companies. We also support the expansion of companies that are already in Philadelphia. This includes providing employer incentives and convening workforce partners for job opportunities across all business sectors.

The Department of Commerce’s Workforce Solutions team connects and convenes key workforce and institutional stakeholders to drive workforce strategy in the City of Philadelphia. This team works to build a workforce system in Philadelphia that is more coordinated, innovative, and effective. The work aims to address poverty, the talent needs of employers, and to grow the economy.

In addition to the WPA, the Workforce Solutions team’s portfolio includes:

  • Workforce Solutions Grants, investing in organizations that strive to elevate evidence informed approaches and innovative training programs to prepare Philadelphia residents for entering the workforce.
  • Fair Chance Hiring Initiative, supporting local businesses and justice involved Philadelphia residents by providing financial incentives in the form of wage reimbursements and employment retention grants.
  • Career Connected Learning, infusing career awareness and early exposure into our schools, curriculum and programming offered to all students by working closely with youth-serving partners, including the School District of Philadelphia.

Learn more and connect with our team:

Check out the Workforce Professional Alliance Resource Guide (PDF)