December 2- 8, 2004

cityspace

Get a Job

by Jonas Raab

When Kensington High School senior Duong Nguyen first started his summer internship at the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, he didn't know much about the business.

"The only thing on my mind," he says, "was that I needed a job."

Before long, Nguyen got just that, thanks to the WorkReady Philadelphia job-training program. It helped him find the internship, which ultimately resulted in a part-time job as a Coca-Cola merchandiser.

It was because of stories like Nguyen's that the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board (PWIB) and its Youth Council honored hundreds of city business executives for participating in the WorkReady program to prepare youths between the ages of 14 and 21 for the workplace.

Through internships, youth-shadowing days and other programs, it serves more than 7,500 city youths annually. Last year alone, it helped 300 students through its Employer-Paid Summer Internship program, according to a group press release.

Another initiative—the Summer Career Exploration Program—is supported by 20 local foundations, including the William Penn Foundation, while the Mentoring Youth effort places high school sophomores in internships during the school year.

So, to mark the end of the program's second year—which officials called a rousing success—city business and education leaders gathered with WorkReady officials Nov. 17 at the Top of the Tower on Arch Street for their first annual WorkReady Philadelphia Leaders Reception.

"WorkReady Philadelphia employers realize that an investment in our city's youth is the most important investment we can make," said George Davis, senior vice president of Lincoln Financial Group and PWIB chairman. "We continuously hear from participating companies how thrilled they are with the student interns from this program and, more importantly, these youths gain real-world, hands-on experience."

Also speaking at the ceremony were Pamela A. Crawley, chairwoman of the Philadelphia Youth Council and senior vice president of Citizens Bank, Nguyen and Adrienne Stinson, a Community College of Philadelphia student who had an internship with Independence Blue Cross. Crawley said things are looking up for the fledgling program.

"It is unprecedented," said Crawley, "to have this many organizations and companies working together to create opportunities for the youth of this city and work towards the ultimate goal of improving Philadelphia's future workforce."