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As the seminal event of National Apprenticeship Week (November 12-18), Philadelphia Works hosted a launch event today to unveil ApprenticeshipPHL, the city’s new comprehensive apprenticeship initiative. Sheila Ireland, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development; Eric Ramsay, Apprenticeship Director for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and number of representatives from the business community joined Philadelphia Works at a press conference to speak on the importance of apprenticeships and offer a preview of the soon to be launched ApprenticeshipPHL.org website.

“As the city’s workforce development board, our goal is to identify and overcome challenges faced by Philadelphia’s workforce,” said H. Patrick Clancy, President and CEO of Philadelphia Works. “One of these challenges is filling the skills gap between employers and entry-level talent. With this new initiative, we will connect more job seekers to employers and give both parties the resources necessary to successfully shape the future of our city’s workforce.”

ApprenticeshipPHL.org is the city’s new, dedicated website for apprenticeship information, events, and opportunities. The website will serve as a resource for both employers and jobs seekers alike who are interested in exploring the costs and benefits of apprenticeships. Employers will be able to learn how to create and formally register their own apprenticeship programs and promote recruitment efforts through an event calendar.

Jobseekers looking for registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships can find resources like apprenticeship recruitment deadlines, application guidelines, baseline requirements for hiring, and contact information for individual programs in one convenient webpage. ApprenticeshipPHL.org will also have a cultivated calendar for apprenticeship news and events taking place both locally and regionally.

“ApprenticeshipPHL is a part of our continued efforts to generate family-sustaining work opportunities for city residents,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “While apprenticeships have traditionally been reserved only for the building trades, we are now seeing a host of other industries, from healthcare to IT, embracing this innovative training model.  Our hope is to inspire a new generation of business leaders to consider the apprenticeship model as a viable solution to creating pipelines of qualified and dedicated employees.”

In addition to serving as a comprehensive database for apprenticeship information, ApprenticeshipPHL.org will celebrate and spotlight successes in apprenticeships across the city and region through testimonials from current and former apprentices, as well as business leaders.

For more information about National Apprenticeship Week 2018, visit: https://www.philaworks.org/business/apprenticeship-initiatives/