Sec. Manderino Continues 'Jobs that Pay' Tour at West Philadelphia Skills Initiative

PHILADELPHIA, March 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino continued the Jobs that Pay tour today in Philadelphia with a visit to the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), part of the University City District, which serves employers and job seekers in the West Philadelphia Community by pairing employer needs with worker training.

"These truly are jobs that pay," Secretary Manderino said. "Successful graduates are making a living wage, receiving benefits, and forging a clear career path to a successful future."

Sec. Manderino and L&I workforce development Deputy Secretary Eileen Cipriani sat down with WPSI staff and program participants and graduates to talk about the initiative and what it's meant to those who have found meaningful work in West Philadelphia.

"All of us at University City District and the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative were inspired by the visit from Secretary Manderino and her team," said University City District President Matt Bergheiser. "We share a common belief that talent is everywhere, and a common vision to connect people to life-changing careers by working side-by-side with employers."

WPSI has been serving its local community for more than six years with employer partners that include The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Drexel University College of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Allied Universal, BrightView, Green City Works, and SodexoMagic. Initiatives candidates are screened by both employers and WPSI staff before training – both classroom and on-the-job – begins.

Initiative graduates interview for jobs with many of the skills they need to hit the ground running and the program has a placement rate of greater than 93 percent. The programs have a proven track record of raising retention, increasing productivity and quality of services, and reducing turnover.

The Jobs that Pay Tour is a way for Labor & Industry to learn about successful workforce programs across the state and share that information with other like-minded organizations and employers to create a workforce system that supports all workers in Pennsylvania.

For more information on WPSI, visit http://www.universitycity.org/wpsi.

MEDIA CONTACT:Sara Goulet, 717-787-7530.

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry