Skills Initiative
WHAT IS THE SKILLS INITIATIVE?
PIDC’s Navy Yard Workforce Skills Initiative (NYSI) creates training programs that connect talented Philadelphia residents to permanent employment with Navy Yard employers.
PIDC recognizes the importance of connecting talented workers to Navy Yard employers and has partnered with the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) to increase stability and economic opportunity for working Philadelphians. The collaborative aims to replicate key aspects of the WPSI’s nationally recognized talent solutions, where 95% of participants are connected to employment upon successful completion of the program.
PIDC and WPSI are partnering to run year-round, cohort-based, jobs-driven training models that harness the hiring power of Navy Yard employers, while cultivating talent from Philadelphia.

2020
program launched

11* (2 active)
total cohorts

128
participants served

107
program graduates

99
graduates connected w/ full-time jobs

92.52%
grads connected w/ Navy Yard employment
FOR JOB SEEKERS
Navy Yard Skills Initiative training programs are designed for individuals who have been disconnected from the workforce or who have limited professional experience to strengthen the skills and abilities that employers need! Program participants are expected to participate in all aspects of the program including classroom training and technical coursework. The goal of each program is to connect participants to the tools and supports needed to build a meaningful career.
LEARN MOREFOR EMPLOYERS
Working directly with Navy Yard employers, NYSI enables businesses to hire local talent that can meet their demands and fill valuable positions. NYSI looks to coordinate services to address recruitment and retention challenges for entry-level and hard-to-fill positions, creating customized solutions for these hiring needs.
LEARN MORE“NYSI has built an exceptional program to support Philadelphians with new employment opportunities.”
ABOUT PIDC & WPSI
PIDC is Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation and the Navy Yard’s master developer. PIDC’s mission is to spur investment, support business growth, and foster developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia. PIDC works with companies of all sizes and sectors and with a network of partners to ensure Philadelphia continues to grow as an attractive place for business investment, development, and job creation.
WPSI operates as a boutique consulting firm with employer partners as clients. WPSI conducts an in-depth needs assessment to design solutions that help employers resolve challenges related to candidate flow or quality, retention, performance gaps, and onboarding support. The WPSI team engages employers in order to understand their workplace culture, hiring practices, and turnover issues.
Learn More About WPSI