Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, during a recent celebration of the Navy Yard Skills Initiative’s recent graduates, announced $525,000 in new federal funding to support the program.
The initiative, which is open to current Philly residents with a high school diploma, GED or equivalent credential, helps to connect Philly residents with Navy Yard employers through customized three-week training programs. In addition to receiving a $150 weekly stipend while enrolled, program participants are guaranteed an interview with the partner employer upon graduation.
“The Navy Yard is home to the most exciting emerging center of economic activity in Philadelphia, with employers spanning industries from shipbuilding, to baking, to life sciences — and everything in between,” Scanlon said. “Like many businesses across the country, these employers are in need of skilled workers, and the Navy Yard Skills Initiative is helping to make those connections.”
Since the program officially started in February 2021, it has graduated four cohorts, a total of 53 people, with 98% of graduates receiving full-time job offers. The 16 most recent trainees were all offered full-time apprenticeship programs with Philly Shipyard, with those positions featuring salaries starting at $17.13 per hour followed by incremental pay increases over the course of the apprenticeship. They were also awarded college credits in technical studies at Delaware County Community College.
Previous cohorts have been connected with careers at companies such as Four Seasons Landscaping through the Grounds Maintenance Labor Program and the Tasty Baking Company, the maker of Tastykakes, for the Production Associate Program.
“We are extremely grateful for Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon’s support in our Navy Yard Skills Initiative place-based workforce development program,” said Kate McNamara, the senior vice president for the Philadelphia Industrial Development Coportation at the Navy Yard. “This investment will go a long way, allowing Philadelphia residents to secure life-changing careers while providing Navy Yard businesses with the highly skilled talent they need.”
Applications for the next cohort, which will again partner with the Tasty Baking Company, will open on May 3. More information can be found at navyyard.org/workforce/jobs.
