The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, the program of the University City District that connects West Philly employers seeking talent with West Philadelphians looking for opportunity, is currently recruiting residents for a training program with Allied Universal, one of the largest providers of security services in North America.

The program is seeking applicants who possess a high school diploma or GED, are currently unemployed, and live in the zip codes of 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, or 19151. Applicants should have experience working in security, customer service, or related fields.

Program graduates are guaranteed an interview with Allied Universal. The participants will receive a performance-based stipend during the training and will learn the skills needed to successfully connect to employment and a fulfilling career path.  Continue Reading

Here’s a summer job opportunity for young West Philly men and women who can swim or are willing to learn to swim. The Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation has launched its 2017 Lifeguard Recruitment Campaign and will begin its competitive lifeguard recruitment process this month.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process early in order to have enough time to pass the required screening and lifeguard training course. Parks and Rec staff is also able to provide beginner-level swimmers that apply early with assistance in preparing for the screening. The lifeguard position pays a competitive wage of $12.33 to $14.60 an hour.

Parks and Rec hires 400 lifeguards annually to patrol its 70 outdoor pools and four indoor pools, and there are a lot of West Philly pools that need lifeguards (Pictured: Kelly Pool in West Fairmount Park). The first step for interested candidates is to attend a screening at one of three indoor training facilities during the following screening days and times beginning now through June:  Continue Reading

Representatives from the City of Philadelphia, SEPTA, the University City District – West Philly Skills Initiative, USciences, Verizon, PeopleShare and more will present full-time, part-time and seasonal job openings at an upcoming Community Job Fair, which will take place on Saturday, May 21, at University of the Sciences.

Candidates of all ages and experience levels are welcome to attend the event, which is free and open to the public.

The following career services workshops will also be held during the morning and afternoon:

• Interview skills
• Resume writing
• Job searching and sourcing
• Applying online

The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McNeil Science and Technology Center at 45th St. and Woodland Ave. (No. 20 on the campus map).

For more information, visit: usciences.edu/jobfair

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) is at it again: the organization that has helped hundreds of unemployed West Philadelphians is now recruiting people for their two upcoming job training programs. Both programs described below are open for unemployed individuals residing in the zip codes 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, and 19151.

Recruitment is now open for candidates interested in training and job opportunities as carpentry technicians.

Participants of this program will:

• Learn the carpentry trade from master craftsmen
• Earn a generous performance-based wage stipend
• Build cutting-edge job connection strategies that will help you connect to a career you will love.

Successful applicants should:

• Have experience and/or education in the carpentry/construction field.
• Have a high school diploma or GED by June 27th, 2016

The application deadline for this program is June 3rd, 2016.  Continue Reading

If you know someone who is interested in working in landscaping, pass this along. The University City District has received a $300,000 grant to launch Green City Works, “a social enterprise that provides high-quality groundskeeping services while developing job skills and advancement opportunities for low-income workers interested in landscaping trades,” according to a statement.

Green City Works will build on UCD’s efforts with the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, which connects West Philadelphians with employers offering “family-sustaining” wages.

Go to the Green City Works website to learn more.

There are a few job openings and job training opportunities in West Philadelphia this month.

Two seasonal, part-time positions are currently open at Greensgrow West (4912 Baltimore Avenue):

Customer Service Specialist will work as a member of the sales team at the Greensgrow West Garden Center 2-3 days a week and should be available from Friday through Tuesday when the site is open for business. There will also be several events outside the regularly open hours. This person will primarily serve as a weekend cashier, and duties will include, but will not be limited to: ringing up customers, answering the phone, interacting with customers, representing Greensgrow to the local community, and helping keep the store, merchandise and storefront tidy and presentable. This position is March through June, working approximately 24 hours a week. For more information about the job, job requirements and how to apply, please visit: http://www.greensgrow.org/get-involved/jobs/

Customer Service and Horticultural Specialist will work as a member of the sales team at the Garden Center 4-5 days a week, and should be available from Friday through Tuesday when the site is open for business. There will also be several events outside of the regularly open hours. This person will be responsible for maintaining high quality plant material, interact with the customers as a salesperson and resource, making sure the site is kept clean and attractive for customers and guests, helping with the CSA, and completing daily job tasks as assigned by the site manager. This position starts in March, working approximately 30 hours a week. For more information about the job, job requirements and how to apply, please visit: http://www.greensgrow.org/get-involved/jobs/

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative is recruiting West Philadelphia residents interested in training and job opportunities as Landscape Technicians with Green City Works, University City District’s landscaping venture. Successful candidates will have landscaping or related experience, have a high school diploma or GED, be unemployed, and live in West Philadelphia (defined by zip codes 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, 19151). The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Apply online here, or print and mail/fax the program application to WPSI. More information is available on this page.