The developers of Schuylkill Yards, the $3.5 billion commercial and residential development near 30th Street Station, announced this week that they will spend $5.6 million on community initiatives, including affordable housing.

Brandywine Realty Trust’s “Neighborhood Engagement Initiative” will focus on local job creation and training, supporting local and minority-owned businesses and building affordable housing. The firm pledged to provide $3.1 million toward housing and job training in the first phase of Schuylkill Yards development, set to begin this summer.

Curbed Philadelphia reports that the $3.1 million will go into a community fund to be shared between the nearby Powelton Village and Mantua neighborhoods for housing projects. Brandywine will also provide $500,000 to the Enterprise Center to help develop minority-owned businesses. Other plans include providing funding for the Construction Apprentice Preparatory Program to help local workers prepare for jobs in the construction industry.

Schuylkill Yards will include 6.9 million square feet of new commercial, retail and residential space on 14 acres stretching from 30th Street Station west to 33rd Street and from JFK Boulevard south to Chestnut. It is scheduled to be completed in two phases over the next two decades.

Great news for the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, the University City District’s program providing job training and job interview opportunities to West Philadelphia residents by connecting them with local employers. The program has recently received a major grant – $600,000 – from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The grant will help the Skills Initiative to expand its reach and impact in the area.

The nationally-acclaimed program, which recently turned 5 years old, boasts a 90 percent job placement rate for its graduates and has helped hundreds of unemployed West Philly residents since its inception in 2011. The Pew grant is the largest ever in the program’s history and is essential to its efforts to significantly grow its capacity over the next three years. These plans include expanding the number of program participants, both trainees and employers, and employment opportunities.

The program’s goal is to serve 500 individuals annually by the end of 2021.

For more information about the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative and current opportunities for job seekers, visit: www.universitycity.org/wpsi.

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

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.