COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE
CONNECTING PHILADELPHIANS TO FAMILY-SUSTAINING CAREERS
Helping Philadelphians connect to family-sustaining careers is crucial to our recovery from COVID-19, stemming the tide of gun violence, and breaking the cycle of poverty. 47% of Philadelphians work in low-skill occupations, but there are many high opportunity, middle skill careers that typically don’t require a college degree and can lead to an average wage INCREASE of $8.30/hour. I’ve been focused on workforce development since Day 1 because I know we can make a real difference in people’s lives.
EVENTS
3 Career Fairs w/PACareerLinkPHL 2 Resume Workshops w/PACareerLinkPHL 8 Labor Fridays
• AFL-CIO, Laborers Local 332, Laborers Local 57 • Steamfitters Local 420, Plumbers Local 690, Sprinkler Fitters Local 692 • Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters w/Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 98 w/Councilmember Bobby Henon • Insulators Local 14 • Ironworkers Local 405 and Boilermakers Local 13 • Roofers Local 30 • Finishing Trades Institute of the Mid-Atlantic Region
1 Apprenticeship Community Forum w/PECO, PGW, and SEPTA 2 Conferences • Women in Nontraditional Careers • ApprenticeshipPHL
Office of Katherine Gilmore Richardson Councilmember At-Large | City Hall Room 581 | (215) 686-0454 @CouncilmemberKGR
@councilmemberKGR
@CouncilwomanKGR
PHLCouncil.com
RESOURCES Apprenticeship Guidebook: If you’re interested in a career in the trades, check out my Apprenticeship Guidebook! It lists over 20 opportunities in the Philadelphia region and shares everything you need to know to apply. Available at bit.ly/KGRApprenticehip Scan code for updated information
Instagram Stories and Facebook Series: Looking for a job or unsure of how to get started? Check out my Instagram and Facebook (CouncilmemberKGR) pages to watch all of my virtual events and see current job listings!
BILLS & RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED: 9 Resolutions
o Charter change to give a Civil Service exam point preference to graduates of Career and technical education programs o Charter change to give a Civil Service exam point preference to the children and grandchildren of members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty o Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to investigate curriculum realignment in the School District of Philadelphia to ensure preparedness for post-COVID-19 career opportunities o Recognizing National Apprenticeship Week o Authorizing the Committee on Appropriations to conduct hearings regarding the Water Department’s equitable approach to workforce w/Councilmember Quinones Sanchez o Recognizing February as Career and Technical Education Awareness Month
o Recognizing Women in Construction Week o Urging support for PA House Bills 1204, 1206, 806, and 244 focused on addressing educational disparities and strengthening workforce development opportunities
5 Bills
o Charter change to give a Civil Service exam point preference to graduates of Career and technical education programs (2 bills) o Charter change to give a Civil Service exam point preference to the children and grandchildren of members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty (2 bills) o Requiring businesses to provide a Workforce and Career Pathways Information Sheet, created by the Department of Labor, when workers are separated from current employers
The Workforce and Career Pathways Information Sheet Bill passed in June 2021. This bill will require employers to share an information sheet, created by the Department of Labor, to workers when they separate from the business. This will help more Philadelphians understand educational and training opportunities available to them and make it easier for them to connect directly. In November 2020, the Committee on Education heard my Resolution on Career and Technical Education Realignment. This hearing offered recommendations for how the School District of Philadelphia can improve their Career and Technical Education offerings to help students find more direct pathways to employment. Read the hearing report at PHLCouncil.com/KatherineGilmoreRichardson
BUDGET: Additional $13MM in spending on workforce development in FY21 & FY22
• PhilaTradeWorks to help connect Philadelphians to opportunities in the trades • Grant funding to workforce development agencies • Save the City’s Office of Workforce Development as the Workforce Development Unit under Commerce post-COVID budget cuts • Fully fund the Philadelphia Energy Authority who runs career training programs in solar energy and energy efficiency and helped create the first Solar Career and Technical Education program in the country • Support for the Arts and Culture Economy, which creates vital jobs and runs important workforce programs for returning citizens • Additional investments in the Commerce Department to expand workforce development
NEW NORMAL HOME HEALTH AIDE UPSKILLING PROGRAM 50 un- or under-employed home health aides were provided with free Nurse Aide training and job placement through the District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund and in partnership with Philadelphia Works