PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia's budget is tight, but the mayor and City Council have freed up a total of $5 million for employment programs, targeting historically disadvantaged workers who have been hit hardest by the pandemic recession.
The Commerce Department awarded Workforce Solutions grants last week, totaling $1 million, to four programs to train workers and get them jobs in manufacturing, energy and tech. One of them, Urban Tech, is the latest version of an Urban League program that has connected 70 people to tech jobs since 2016.
Urban League of Philadelphia Director of Workforce Development Hoa Pham said it's needed now more than ever.
"We're really proud to be meeting this moment of challenge, to do our part to bring greater equity to our city," she said.
City Council is calling its effort the New Normal Jobs Initiative. Last week, it transferred $4 million to five programs, including one that will help home health aides upgrade their skills so they can become nursing assistants. Another focuses on green jobs, and three fund work that improves neighborhoods, with one focused on commercial corridors.
Many workers of color were struggling even before the COVID-19 recession, and Deputy Commerce Director Heloise Jettison said the city's efforts are aimed at making sure they not only recover, but progress.
"It's the only way we're going to be able to build back, so we're excited to have this opportunity," she added.
CORRECTION: In a previous version of this story, Urban League of Philadelphia Director of Workforce Development Hoa Pham was misidentified.
