Strategic Plan Fall 2020 Update - Workforce Development, Readiness and Economic Innovation

Promote the College as a leading provider of workforce and economic development solutions and corporate training in the region by delivering high quality training and instruction that enables clients to grow, succeed and stay ahead of industry needs.

Strategic Plan Fall 2020 Update

  • Launched 604 Hour Federal Financial Aid Eligible Massage Therapy Program at the Northeast Regional Center in newly renovated labs;
  • Converted Computer Numeric Control to a 625 Hour program for submission for Federal Financial Aid; Opened CNC Lab at the West Regional Center;
  • Two Health Care Programs approved for credit articulation: Dental Assisting (# credits) and Nurse Aide (3 Credits) aligned with the College’s Health Care Studies AA; Computer Numeric Control under review;
  • State Approval of two Pre-apprenticeship programs, Career Readiness Pre-apprenticeship and Industrial Maintenance Technician;
  • Three Workforce and Economic Innovation team members have completed a first of its kind registered apprenticeship training program to become Apprenticeship Navigators to work closely with interested employers to develop industry-based apprenticeship programs;
  • Secured Philadelphia as one of 7 cities participating in the National League of Cities Serving Students Basic Needs Technical Assistance grant funded by Kresge;
  • CCP distributed 100% of its State WedNET training fund allocation, serving 22 companies with 29 contracts, training a total of 591 employees;
  • 13 Workforce Noncredit Courses converted to online; 4 Workforce programs partially converted (due to in-person learning requirements); Career Readiness Pre-Apprenticeships modules converted  to online. 

Strategic Plan Fall 2019 Update

  • The College secured over $400,000 in grants to fund innovative workforce programs, including two State funded PA Smart pre-apprenticeship programs, and a Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development “Manufacturing to Career” readiness program.
  • Two Advanced Manufacturing programs were approved for credit articulation: Welding (20 credits) and Electro-Mechanical (27 credits). The Nurse Assistant and Dental Assistant are under review.
  • The CNC Lab was completed at the West Philadelphia Regional Center with classes initiated in Fall 2019 with the Pathways to Manufacturing program.
  • The College received approval of a Massage Therapy program for financial aid.
  • The Workforce & Economic Innovation (WEI) unit doubled workforce offerings since FY17 from 13 to 26 in FY19.

Strategic Plan Fall 2018 Update

  • 38% net revenue growth since FY15/16; Corporate College, Open Enrollment, Contract Training saw 12% enrollment growth since FY15/16.
  • Secured close to $1M in grants to fund innovative workforce programs.
  • College named lead partner in City's Workforce Strategy, "Fueling Philadelphia's Talent Engine," launched at the College in February 2018.
  • Enhanced Relationship with Philadelphia Works and the City on Workforce Development:
  • Awarded Vocations Skills Training contracts for Gas Distribution, Bookkeeping, Certified Nurse Assistant, ComptiaA+, Pharmacy Technician, and Bookkeeping Programs.
  • CareerLink Satellite Office at NERC, targeting Spring 2019.

Develop entrepreneurial programs around industry clusters reflective of the region's needs, employer needs and College priorities.

Strategic Plan Fall 2020 Update

Power Up Your Business

  • Continued $800,000 investment by City of Philadelphia in Power Up Your Business in 5th year of program, beyond its three-year commitment;
  • Implemented curriculum, assessment, coaching, and orientation improvements to the program;
  • Converted Peer Learning Curriculum to Spanish; Site launched the first Power Up Global Series Cohort en Espanol in conjunction with Finanta serving 16 Spanish language entrepreneurs.
  • Initiated the conversion of curriculum to Chinese and Russian to serve additional immigrant business owner markets; 
  • Converted curriculum for peer learning and all workshops to live online zoom format;
  • 47% increase in businesses served last year; cumulative of 234 Philadelphia commercial corridor, neighborhood and home-based businesses served in 10 council districts; 43 of 48 zip codes represented up from 33 in prior year;
  • Maintained high rate of minority (80%) and women-owned (70%) businesses served throughout life of program.

Goldman Sachs Ten Thousand Small Businesses

  • Program renewed for a 7th year of funding at a continued investment by the Goldman Sachs Foundation of $1.4M; 
  • 568 Alumni have graduated from the Goldman Sachs Ten Thousand Small Businesses program during the 19/20 year; 
  • Outstanding site review by Babson College and Goldman Sachs Foundation; 10KSB awarded MED Week award;
  • Conversion of curriculum to online format to complete disrupted cohort due to COVID19;
  • 21 out of the Philly 100 Fastest Growing Business in the region were 10KSB Alumni; Five of only 10 regional award winners at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards event were 10KSB alumni. 

Strategic Plan Fall 2019 Update

  • WEI introduced a Cyber Security program in Fall 2019 and finalized the curriculum to launch a Massage Therapy program in Spring 2020.
  • WEI introduced new Professional Development Certificates: Coach Approach Style of Leadership and Business of Coaching Certificate
  • The College experienced growth in professional development programs – WEI added: Change Management, Conflict Resolution, Diversity Training, Facilitation, and HR for the Non-HR Manager; Improving Self-Awareness/Self-Management Skills and Increasing Your Personal Influence with Emotional Intelligence; Understanding Generational Differences
  • The College enhanced an online partnership to provide a Digital Marketing Certificate to include Podcasting and Video Marketing.
  • Personal Enrichment Classes in Culinary Arts were launched in Fall 2019.
  • The College secured grant renewal for Year 6 of the 10KSB grant valued at $1.4M; The 10KSB program surpassed 500 Alumni in the program since inception; Cohort 20 is 10KSB’s largest class since inception (36 scholars.)
  • The College secured continued support for the Power UP Your Business Program beyond the initial 3 Year commitment. The program has served 157 businesses since January 2017 in the peer-learning program and 569 Businesses and 935 attendees in 41 workshops.
  • WEI launched the Power Up Industry Best Practices Institute for existing Child Care Owners. The program teaches best business practices on management, financials, funding, and human resources at Children’s Villages Child Care Center. WEI served 20 businesses, which comprised 30 locations.

Strategic Plan Fall 2018 Update

  • Introduced Certified Nurse Assistant, 3 Advanced Manufacturing Programs (CNC, Welding, and Electro-Mechanical); Gas Distribution; Bookkeeping; Office Manager; Robotics; Amazon Cloud Services, CDL since FY15/16; Four Programs in Development for next year.
  • Growth in professional development programs – Digital Mapping, Social Media Marketing Certificate; NEW: Diversity Institute; Adobe Creative Workshops.
  • Added 10KSB to WEI Portfolio and strengthened program securing grant renewals for Year 5 and Year 6 valued at $2.8M; Increased scholar numbers from 64 to 91.
  • Created Power UP Your Business Program serving 100 participants (95 businesses) since January 2017 in the peer-learning program; 433 Businesses and 806 attendees in 33 workshops. New: iHub with Mt. Airy CDC for start-up entrepreneurs.

Connect students with the world of work in ways that allow them to direct their learning and future employment to fields that fuel their personal ambitions and the region's economic opportunities.

Strategic Plan Fall 2020 Update

  • Reorganization and resources added to include new Career Connection Coordinators aligned with 7 Guided Pathways and WEI Workforce Programs; 
  • 114% increase in number of students hired through Career Connections events since previous year’s numbers; 52% increase in student usage of Career Connections Employment Hub; 20% increase in employer engagement;
  • Career Connections Kiosk added to Bonnell lobby to increase visibility of unit;
  • Career Readiness Workshop Series introduced; Guided Pathways alignment process underway;
  • Partnership with City’s Department of Health to recruit CCP students as contact tracers; 13 students hired and City designated CCP as their largest and most successful recruitment partner;
  • Shifted all services online; instituted live hot job alerts for students via Instagram.

Strategic Plan Fall 2019 Update

  • There was a 100% increase in on-campus employer engagement opportunities and 32% increase in employer participation since FY17.
  • There was a 150% increase in student career related activities, and a 245% increase in total student participation in career services since FY16.
  • The College significantly increased student access and use of technology tools with Big Interview and Virtual Job Shadow.
  • The College launched a new Employer and Student Job Portal, significantly enhancing services to employers and students, enabling effective tracking of student activity, and allowing for customized job opportunities to reach students.
  • The College established a professional development focus for Comcast Cares Day, a first of its kind for Comcast, to provide students the opportunity to engage with Comcast Executive Leadership for resume and job interviewing mentorship.
  • WEI partnered with the College’s Institute for Community Engagement & Civic leadership and the US Census Bureau to identify students for jobs for the upcoming 2020 Census.

Strategic Plan Fall 2018 Update

  • New Director and new vision for Career Connections; upgraded and added new technology tools; Expanded employer services; embedded Career Connections into FYE courses ; created a series of career readiness workshops each semester; doubled number of employers engaged throughout the year from 75 to 155; and more than doubled student participation in career activities from 1349 to 2851.
  • Instituted internships, externships, job shadowing as part of 4 certificate programs; linked Career Connections student services to ready WEI students for job search and interviews and to link with employers;
  • Re-engaged Communities in Schools/School District of Philadelphia Urban Technology Program and Penn Pipeline High School Program as related technical instruction (RTI) provider for registered apprenticeship and internship program; Joined with JEVS to be the RTI provider for their registered Technology apprenticeship (2019); RTI provider for the National Machining & Tooling (NMTA) Machinist (CNC) apprenticeship program.