PHILADELPHIA, PA – David Donald, Co-founder of PeopleShare entered into a “Jobs Compact” with Mayor Michael A. Nutter, and the City of Philadelphia. The first-ever “Philadelphia Jobs Compact” is a partnership between Philadelphia Works and employers to utilize the public workforce system to fill open positions.
“I applaud these business leaders for their commitment to utilizing the public workforce system,” said Mayor Nutter. “The Philadelphia Jobs Compact is one of the first tangible outcomes from our strategic initiative to streamline the public workforce system. Philadelphia Works has made tremendous strides in becoming a model for workforce investment, and I now call upon all Philadelphia business leaders to take advantage of this new opportunity to receive these valuable customized workforce services.”
Surrounded by more than 20 business leaders, including Philadelphia Works Board members and representatives from PeopleShare, Mercy Health System, Bancroft, Temple Health, PECO and Comcast, executives signed the “Philadelphia Jobs Compact” and issued a call to action for others to use and further improve the public workforce system. Philadelphia Works board members designed the “Philadelphia Jobs Compact” and began using it over the summer in an effort to focus on the needs of employers and to create more opportunities for job seekers. Representing both large and small employers throughout Philadelphia, board members wanted to lead by example and embrace the public workforce system, making it more accountable to deliver on its promise to job seekers and employers.
“The Philadelphia Jobs Compact signals a new partnership to meet the needs of large and small employers,” said Mark Edwards, CEO of Philadelphia Works. “Our business engagement team is ready to respond with no-cost hiring solutions and subsidized training funds for employers that hire unemployed or underemployed workers through PA CareerLink® Philadelphia and our other workforce partners. Employers ultimately drive our workforce system, and we want to put people back to work by matching their talents with employer needs.”
The new agreement with employers covers job postings, candidate screening and sharing specific qualifications and testing requirements, but also goes much further. Employers in need of more comprehensive services can opt to explore on-the-job training for qualified individuals. Philadelphia Works subsidizes 50 percent of wages for up to six months for trainees screened by PA CareerLink® Philadelphia. Other customized training and recruitment services are available at no cost. These services are especially valuable to smaller employers who rarely have dedicated Human Resource departments.
December 6, 2013 – Pottstown Mercury
