Philadelphia Works

In this episode, listeners will explore how the Good Jobs Challenge is reshaping workforce development across Southeastern Pennsylvania by building strong, coordinated partnerships between employers, training providers, and community organizations. Ashlee Phillips, Manager of Workforce Partnerships at Philadelphia Works, explains how the model aligns job training with real labor market needs, whil...

In this episode, we talk with Ebony Joyner, Program Director of YOACAP, and Joan Lamar, Assistant at YOACAP, about their work supporting youth interns. They discuss their portfolio-building methods, tools they've developed, challenges they've faced, and success stories from their program. Our guests share strategies for helping young people document their skills and experiences, how they incorpora...

Join us for a conversation with Dan Lasalle, founder and executive director of the Niche Clinic, as we explore the transformative C2L-PHL workforce development program. In this episode, Dan shares his perspective on youth empowerment, discusses common misconceptions about workforce programs, and offers valuable guidance on how young people can maximize their experience and build lasting career suc...

Join us as Kaila Shannon, Manager of Apprenticeships for Philadelphia Works, breaks down what you need to know about getting paid to learn on the job. Want to earn money while working toward your future? Shannon shows you how apprenticeships go far beyond what you might think - from tech to healthcare to teaching. In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, she shares the events, opportunities...

In this episode you'll hear from Fred Randall, Senior Manager of Data Systems & Quality at Philadelphia Works. They dive into the crucial but often overlooked role that data plays in workforce development. Fred explains how Philadelphia Works, PA CareerLink Centers, and the state's CWDS system work together to support job seekers while ensuring compliance with changing regulations tied to federal...

This episode explores the expanding role of apprenticeships for both employers and career-seekers. Tune in to discover how paid on-the-job training programs benefit businesses through increased retention and return on investment. You'll also hear about how various industries beyond construction trades are leveraging apprenticeships to build talent pipelines and enhance workforce diversity. Guest K...

Philadelphia Works' Research Analyst Sam Fraley joins the program to define the phenomenon of the "benefits cliff", a public policy dynamic that keeps individuals trapped in poverty when small increases in household income lead to larger losses in public benefits. Sam reveals the efforts underway to gather local data about the benefits cliff and discusses a new interactive dashboard that Philadelp...

This episode features a conversation with Shawn Mott, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant for Philadelphia Works. Shawn reveals the efforts that Philadelphia Works has made to keep the focus on DEI on a year-round basis. You'll also learn what organizations can do to center diversity, equity, and inclusion, and make it an integral part of their workplace culture. Discover how to meas...

In this episode, you'll hear about how Philadelphia Works is investing in recovery occupations. These are occupations that are experiencing employer demand, show promise for future growth, pay livable wages and are accessible to workers with diverse educational and employment backgrounds. You'll also learn about the Recovery Occupations Planning Guide and how the guide provides detailed informatio...

Philadelphia Works was recently awarded a $4.7 million dollar Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant to expand registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships across Southeastern Pennsylvania. In this episode, Rebecca Ambrose, Director of Training and Apprenticeship at Philadelphia Works, joins the program to discuss the details of the grant and provide an overview of the importance of app...

This episode features a conversation with Patricia Blumenauer​, Vice President, Operations and Data, for Philadelphia Works, as she discusses the Good Jobs Challenge Grant, a 22.8 million dollar grant recently awarded to Philadelphia Works. Discover how the grant will fund a Coordinated Southeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Development System, and what that entails. You'll also hear about the intend...

Anne Gemmel, Principal at A. Gemm Consulting joins the program to discuss the future of work. Discover the priority conversations that need to happen around the future of work and how the public and private sectors can work together to achieve positive outcomes. Anne also shares her insights about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the future of work and shares recommendations fo...

This episode features a conversation with Kataney Couamin, Director, Workforce Operations at Philadelphia Works, and Juliet Fink Yates, Digital Inclusion Manager for the City of Philadelphia, as they discuss the efforts that are being made to close the digital divide in Philadelphia. Discover the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on accelerating the need for digital access and equity, the futu...

This episode features a conversation with Andre Bradley, Youth System Program Representative for Philadelphia Works.  Andre discusses some of the most common challenges that youth face when looking for jobs, and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on connecting youth to employment and training opportunities. Discover some of the investments that Philadelphia Works has made when it comes...

Samantha Castagna,​ Innovation and Resource Associate at Philadelphia Works, joins the program to discuss the importance of securing philanthropic support, and how securing that support will lead to additional programming and services for both job seekers and employers. Discover the process of locating funding sources and you'll also hear about the details about a three million dollar grant recent...

Alyssa Tombler, Training Initiatives Program Representative at Philadelphia Works, joins the program to discuss the training programs supported through Philadelphia Works. You'll also learn about the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) and the process for getting on this list. Alyssa also shares her thoughts about the benefits for training providers in partnering with Philadelphia Works and bei...

Lisa Johnson, Industry Partnerships Specialist for Philadelphia Works, joins the program to discuss what an industry partnership is and to talk about her role at Philadelphia Works. You'll learn about the Southeastern Pennsylvania Manufacturing Alliance (SEPMA) and the benefits of SEPMA for employers. Lisa also reveals some of the biggest challenges currently facing the manufacturing industry and...

Sue Hoffman, Senior Associate of Innovation for Philadelphia Works, joins the program to discuss how Philadelphia Works and the workforce system are innovating when it comes to reentry services for people with justice involvement. Sue discusses her reappointment as chair of Philadelphia Reentry Coalition's Employment Subcommittee and two major efforts to catalog services for returning citizens in...

Matthew Hutton, Senior Research Analyst at Philadelphia Works, joins the program to discuss the labor market in Philadelphia and how employers can support employees moving forward as the pandemic restrictions begin to lift. Discover the impact of remote learning on parents and how employers can support workers in creating a work-life balance.   

Tiffany Jenkins​, Talent Acquisition Specialist for Philadelphia Works, joins the program to discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist when it comes to creating career pathways for youth. Discover the benefits to employers for supporting career readiness opportunities for youth and hear a youth success story. 

Sheila Boornazian, Vice President of Human Resources and Administration at Philadelphia Works and Uva Coles, Founder and CEO of Inclusiva, join the program to discuss the exciting efforts that have been underway around advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at Philadelphia Works. Discover the differences between diversity, equity and inclusion, the biggest challenges and opportunities in DE&I w...

Michael   Robinson , Director, Community Outreach & Hiring for Temple University Lenfest North Philadelphia Workforce Initiative, joins the program to discuss the details of their 14th Annual Neighborhood Job Fair, which takes place on Friday, June 11th. He also discusses his organization's partnership with Philadelphia Works.  About the job fair: Adult job seekers, recent college grads, and U.S....

Maria del Mar Cabiya, the new Director of Apprenticeship Strategies, discusses who she is, how Apprenticeship PHL is addressing  apprenticeships  during COVID-19, and the effects of the skills gap and upskilling on workforce. Learn why  apprenticeships  work and how they are adapting and expanding in and around Philadelphia even as the city navigates unemployment concerns during a pandemic. Maria...

Tureka (Tee) Dixon is a journey-level glazier (that's someone who installs glass) with Local 252 in Philadelphia.  She got into the trades because of the pay and benefits and stayed for the satisfaction of the work.  Her kids are proud of their Mom. Tee received her Associates Degree and BA in Construction Management through her apprenticeship program at the Finishing Trades Institute where she wa...

In this episode of Today's Rosie we hear from Kelly Ireland, a 4 th  generation commercial plumber with Local 690 in Philadelphia. Kelly shares her path to becoming a plumber and what she loves about her work. She describes how she has overcome challenges and found advantages to being a woman in the trades. Kelly offers advice that women should look to unions to earn equal pay, find mentors and co...