by Navy Yard
July 30, 2020
Categories: News, Welcome, Workforce Development,
With a generous $1.5 million grant from the JPMorgan Chase, PIDC is thrilled to officially launch its pilot workforce program in collaboration with University City District (UCD) and the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) and Temple University. Together, we will partner to build a place-based network of employer-driven workforce programs in West, North, and South Philadelphia.
These partners represent communities experiencing significant economic growth – at West and North Philadelphia’s anchor institutions, and at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia. Since WPSI’s inception in 2011, program participants who had previously been unemployed for an average of 53 weeks have gone on to earn more than $30 million in collective wages while increasing employers’ productivity and excellence.
Building on the successful and proven West Philadelphia Skills Initiative model, PIDC at the Navy Yard will engage with our employers to understand their hiring needs, and then work to build talent pipelines in adjacent communities to advance workers into career trajectory jobs while addressing staffing challenges for businesses.
Adrian “A.J.” Adams will lead the Navy Yard’s workforce development initiatives as the Program Manager. He joins the PIDC team with the exciting opportunity to recruit, assess, select, train and place South Philadelphia residents in career-ladder jobs at the Navy Yard that offer stability and opportunities for advancement. Prior to joining PIDC, A.J. worked for the City of Philadelphia, Office of Workforce Development administering the City’s first-ever municipal-focused workforce development program, which was designed to create viable pathways to permanent employment for under/unemployed Philadelphia’s. With seven years of experience supporting adult job seekers, employers, and programs focused on career training, A.J. is an enthusiastic workforce professional dedicated to designing programs to help Philadelphians connect to high-quality employment. When not working A.J enjoys time with his family, being outdoors, and cycling. In August he will compete in his first mountain bike race, traversing 32 miles and over 2,800 ft of elevation in central PA.
JPMorgan Chase’s gift is a major investment in our collaborative work, and we are deeply grateful to them for their support. These funds will allow PIDC to continue to deliver on our commitment of an innovative, inclusive, and welcoming place in Philadelphia for workers to access life-changing career opportunities.