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It appears people in Philadelphia are very interested in ways to further their career. After Billy Penn published our roundup of a dozen affordable vocational programs and workshops, we were flooded with emails and social media replies from people thrilled about the straightforward list.
In a city where nearly half of residents can’t make ends meet, the job-training preoccupation isn’t surprising.
Though a career isn’t a cure-all — since systemic barriers, pay inequality, education level, disability, documentation status and race can all contribute to economic hardship — being adequately employed and receiving steady pay has been shown to help alleviate the psychological and financial burdens of being broke.
So to help those who feel overwhelmed, confused or even shafted by the job-hunting process, we’re publishing another set of resources.
Here are 12 more organizations and trade schools dedicated to providing Philadelphians with the tools, guidance and confidence they need to master a new career.
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Episcopal Community Services
225 S. 3rd St.
The RISE Initiative program at ESC offers one-on-one career counseling and coaching. Participants will work on resume building, job application submission, interviewing, networking, life skills basics and short and long-term career planning.
Call (215) 351-1443 for more information.
Philabundance Community Kitchen
3616 S. Galloway St.
Acceptance and completion of this 500-hour, 14-week culinary vocation training program guarantees students earning their ServSafe certificate, an internship opportunity in the culinary industry, community service experience and retention services from PCK staff for two years after graduation. Required qualifications are listed here.
E-mail jstarling@philabundance.org for more information.
Philadelphia Technician Training Institute
Philadelphia Youth Network
Programs Employing People
The Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia hosts multiple free and low-cost workshops and events throughout the year at different library branches, such as mock interview preparation, resume building and professional headshots. The Workplace and Business Resource & Innovation centers at the Parkway Central branch both provide one-on-one sessions with librarians who can help career changers and job seekers with information on search techniques, local emerging employment fields and online resources. There are also adult literacy classes, culinary literacy programs, college prep courses and computer classes.
Philadelphia OIC
The Workforce Institute’s City College
Urban League of Philadelphia
The Career Center at the Urban League of Philadelphia has numerous services for job seekers, including access to a computer lab, resume workshops, an eight-week “job club” series, updates on job leads and community resources, mock interviews, one-on-one job coaching and information sessions with partnering employees. All services are offered free of charge for participants who complete the Career Center’s orientation session (offered every Monday).
Contact careercenter@urbanleaguephila.org for more information.
