Last week, a new Workforce Hub launched in Philadelphia as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive approach to training Americans for essential jobs that grow the nation’s economy while providing access to good careers through high-quality training and education.

Philadelphia was one of four cities chosen this past April by the White House for this workforce-focused investment, which will focus on clean water infrastructure and improved roadway safety in the region. Senior members of the White House were in Philadelphia last Thursday to announce major components of the hub, which has been the culmination of work between Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and key stakeholders to identify opportunities to grow and retain the skilled workforce needed for major infrastructure projects in the city. They include:

• Equitable Hiring Policy: Philadelphia will introduce a Geographic and Economic Hiring Preference pilot program that establishes goals for hiring 50 percent of apprentices and 20 percent of journeypersons on select public works projects from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
• Pre-apprenticeship investments: Philadelphia Works received a Good Jobs Challenge Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and recently announced that $4 million of this funding will be set aside for infrastructure training and supportive services.
• Employment Services: Philadelphia Works and Southeast Pennsylvania has awarded more than $22 million to connect over 3,000 job seekers to good jobs across the healthcare, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
• Apprenticeship investments: Everybody Builds – which is a partnership of developers, contractors, and unions focused on diversifying Philadelphia’s construction industry – is launching a new Construction Trades Career Fund with $500,000 in seed funding from a foundation.
  • The Construction Trades Career Fund will support new apprentices from Philadelphia with services, including mentorship, childcare, housing, and hardship assistance. The fund will also address one of the biggest challenges facing construction workers: the need to have a reliable personal vehicle and auto insurance.