Philadelphia Works

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 funding streams like WIOA and TANF. He discusses the challenges and importance of data quality, the benefits of developing custom applications and automated real-time dashboards, and how all of this ultimately enables data-driven decision making to improve workforce programs and outcomes in the Philadelphia region. 

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 Kaila Shannon from Philadelphia Works reveals the range of resources available locally and nationally to engage with apprenticeship programs. 

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 Philadelphia Works is creating that will highlight the benefits cliff. He also discusses how the researching this topic can lead to positive change. Links referenced in the episode:  -Cincinnati Foundation research on "The Cliff Effect" -University of Washington Self Sufficiency Standard

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 measure progress when it comes to DEI and how to create a work environment where everyone feels valued and included. 

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 information on each recovery occupation, including wages, required skills and certifications, top industries of employment, and more.   To access the Recovery Occupations Planning Guide, visit: http://philaworks.org/recovery-occupations/

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 apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships. You’ll hear about the various industries that are using the apprenticeship model and how the Apprenticeship PHL website is making apprenticeships more accessible to industries in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

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 intended impact of the grant and how to learn more.   

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 for how organizations can prepare for upcoming challenges and opportunities.  

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 future of onsite work in Philadelphia, and hear details about Philadelphia's new 5-year digital equity plan. 

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 to training opportunities for youth as well as details about Philadelphia's WorkReady Summer Program. 

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 recently awarded to Philadelphia Works! Additional info: PhilaWorks was awarded $3,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) as a part of its ‘Comprehensive and Accessible Reemployment through Equitable Employment Recovery (CAREER) National Dislocated Worker Grants’ initiative. The cost of this initiative is 100 percent funded through federal money. Ways to give: Give directly by visiting www.philaworks.org/support-us Select “Philadelphia Works” as your charity of choice when shopping through smile.amazon.com Use donor number 12541 when giving through the United Way To connect about other ways to invest in Philad

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 being listed on the ETPL, as well as the overall importance of education and training as the economy recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Link to the ETPL Information Sessions Link to the Training Calendar

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 the efforts that are underway to strengthen the manufacturing talent pipeline. 

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 Philadelphia. Discover some of the barriers to innovation in reentry services and some of the future drivers of innovation. 

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 work, and what it takes to create a positive impact. 

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. military veterans strongly urged to attend. JOB SEEKERS MUST PRE-REGISTER TO ATTEND This is a public job fair event; job seekers will have an opportunity to meet in-person with recruiters from 50 area companies. Job seekers can click on the following link to complete the EventBrite registration form to confirm their attendance:  https://lnkd.in/gU_AbS7 

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 shares information on the “earn while you learn” apprenticeship model and strategic approaches to economy recovery using upskilling to close the skills gap, especially as social justice movements remind people of the importance of equity in the diverse City of Philadelphia and beyond. 

As Philadelphia residents and businesses continue to navigate Pennsylvania’s reopening plans and make informed decisions about their futures, Philadelphia Works is diligently striving everyday to meet career seekers and businesses at their point of need. In this episode of Real Talk about Real Trends in Workforce, Doug Foresta is joined by Kataney Couamin, Manager of Integrated Systems at Philadelphia Works. Kataney manages the overall operations of all four local PA CareerLink® centers and Philadelphia’s System-Wide Services provider, ensuring that all workforce system standards are met at both local and state levels. The two discuss public workforce resources, particularly career services, being transitioned to a virtual environment and other strategies Philadelphia Works has implemented to get residents back to work. This episode also touches on the many efforts made within Philadelphia to address the digital divide and equity concerns amplified by COVID-19. Additionally, Kataney speaks about the future of