The Navy Yard in South Philadelphia recently graduated the fifth group of participants in its workforce development program that connects unemployed and underemployed Philadelphians with quality job opportunities.
The Navy Yard Skills Initiative is the result of a partnership between the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative and Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. Participants receive training for full-time employment with Navy Yard employers.
A total of 150 companies are located within the yard. Jobs range from baking cakes to shipbuilding to cancer research. More healthcare and life sciences employers are expected to join the program later this year.
Since August 2020, 82 people have completed job training. Eleven people graduated in the most recent group and were offered positions at Tastykake.
The graduation ceremony was attended by U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA); Neil Weaver, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) acting secretary; Jennifer Berrier, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry secretary; and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
“DCED has made strategic investments in the Philadelphia Navy Yard because the Wolf Administration recognizes how economically important these businesses are to the region and commonwealth as a whole,” Weaver said. “Training programs like this one help workers gain important new skills while also ensuring companies have the talented workforce they need to succeed.”