C2L-PHL, or Career Connected Learning PHL, is a new initiative to help Philadelphia youth learn about careers. It offers paid work experiences during the summer and school year.

C2L-PHL is supported through funding from the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Children and Families, Philadelphia Works, and the School District of Philadelphia. JEVS Human Services manages the organizations that hire and work with youth.

No, C2L-PHL does not replace WorkReady. C2L-PHL is the newest name of Philadelphia’s youth workforce development system. It has been called different names in the past and was previously known as WorkReady.

C2L-PHL aligns Philadelphia’s youth workforce development system with a national model that connects the classroom to the real world.

By participating in C2L-PHL programs, youth can gain:

• Work experience.
• Payment.
• Career readiness skills.
• Credit towards graduation through Act 158.
• Professional networking.
• Service-learning projects.
• Career exploration.

Generally, summer programming runs for six to eight weeks between mid-June and mid-August. The exact start time will depend on each program. School year programming starts in late September and runs until early June.

Philadelphians ages 12–24 are eligible to take part in C2L-PHL programs. Priority is given to in-school youth.

You can apply for C2L-PHL programs at any time. Summer program applications open between March and April each year. You can apply at phila.gov/c2l-phl. For ongoing C2L-PHL programs and resources, visit Philadelphia Works.

You can apply for school year and summer C2L-PHL program opportunities at phila.gov/c2l-phl. For more information on C2L-PHL programming, visit Philadelphia Works.

To apply, you need personal documents that verify your identity and Philadelphia residency. These may include:

• A photo ID.
• School records like a school ID or report card.
• Social Security card.
• Birth certificate and/or passport.
• Work permit (if applicable).

For more information on the C2L-PHL, call (833) 750-5627. You can also email C2LPHL@phila.gov.

The application is currently only available in English. If a youth or caregiver needs support in another language, please call (833) 750-5627 or email C2LPHL@phila.gov for assistance.

Applicants will be contacted by the program they applied for within a few weeks about next steps.

Participants receive a stipend on a prepaid debit card. A stipend is a fixed amount of money that you get based on your attendance and active participation in your assigned program.

When you get paid, money will be automatically loaded onto the debit card. You’ll receive the card from your program provider by your first pay date. Providers will share more information about prepaid debit cards at that time.

Stipends will be paid every other week. You’ll receive a payment schedule from your program provider.

C2L-PHL program participants can earn $1,300–$1,500 depending on their program. This includes both school year and summer programming.

Youth and young adults earning more than $13,850 for the year are required to file taxes. Your earnings for the year include your stipend for participating in a summer work program. Learn more about who needs to file a tax return.

When in doubt, contact a tax professional for advice about your situation. To get help for free, you can visit an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site.

Parents receiving public benefits will not be impacted by their child’s earnings from C2L-PHL.

Yes. We support all Philadelphia youth and schools in their career-connected learning journeys!

Any business interested in becoming a work-based learning site should complete the Worksite Interest Form. A representative from JEVS Human Services will follow up.

For additional questions, please email businessengagementteam@philaworks.org.

Nonprofits can get involved in many ways, including hiring young adults or becoming part of the C2L-PHL provider network. As resources and opportunities are available, we will post them at phila.gov/c2l-phl.

Providers for summer 2024 have already been selected through a procurement process led by the City and Philadelphia Works. New opportunities for the school year and summer 2025 will be available soon. Please check phila.gov/c2l-phl for updates.