Philadelphia Works

What Philadelphia Works does

Philadelphia Works, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization serving as the City of Philadelphia's designated Local Workforce Development Board under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The organization develops and manages workforce solutions for a six-county service area spanning Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Its core operational platform is PA CareerLink Philadelphia, a network of physical one-stop career centers supplemented by the Your Next Step digital navigation tool, through which career seekers access job search assistance, training enrollment, apprenticeship opportunities, and supportive services at no direct cost.

The organization's product portfolio is structured around sector-specific programs and employer-facing business solutions. Sector programs include Good Jobs Challenge (healthcare, life sciences, infrastructure, energy), SEPMA manufacturing industry partnership (142+ employers), Hospitality & Entertainment Industry Partnership (H&EIP, 59+ employers), WINC (Women in Nontraditional Careers), and specialized Registered Apprenticeship programs such as WeldWorks Philly, CyberPath PA, and ApprenticeshipPHL. Employer services include On-the-Job Training reimbursement, Customized Job Training, Incumbent Worker Training, and layoff aversion support, all delivered free of charge to eligible employers. Research and data products include Quarterly Labor Market Reports and dashboards that feed policy and program design.

Philadelphia Works is funded almost entirely through federal and state government grants rather than commercial pricing. Major recurring funding streams include WIOA allocations (~$19.5M annually), TANF employment services (~$42.1M annually), DOL discretionary grants (~$16M annually), supplemented by the multi-year EDA Good Jobs Challenge award ($22.7M over three years), DOL Apprenticeship Building America ($4.7M), Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry grants, and private foundation support from United Way, Comcast, JOIN, and National Fund for Workforce Solutions. The organization is governed by a mayoral-appointed Board of Directors and led by President & CEO H. Patrick Clancy and COO Billie Barnes, supported by a staff of 251-500 across functions including Finance, HR, IT, Research & Data, Contracts, Workforce Operations, Youth Workforce, Career Connected Learning, Apprenticeships, Training & Upskilling, and Workforce Partnerships.

Name

Philadelphia Works

Legal name

Philadelphia Works, Inc.

Website

https://philaworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Philadelphia Works is a 501c3 nonprofit serving as Philadelphia's designated Local Workforce Development Board, delivering no-cost workforce training, apprenticeships, and employer recruitment services across six southeastern Pennsylvania counties, funded primarily through federal and state grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Employment Services (5613), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Employer-Led Workforce Partnerships & Sector Strategies (EDAAAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Job Placement, Matching & Career Navigation Services (EDAAAOAL), Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF), Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL), Career Services & Job Placement Platforms (Jobs, Recruiting, Employer Networks) (EDAFAMAM)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Apprenticeship programs
• Job training programs
• Employer recruitment solutions
• Career placement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants: Primary funding from U.S. Department of Labor (WIOA programs, Apprenticeship Building America grant), U.S. Economic Development Administration (Good Jobs Challenge), and other federal agencies. Funding supports workforce training, apprenticeship programs, and employment services.
2. State Government Grants: Funding from Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (TANF programs, PAsmart initiative grants), supporting workforce development across southeastern Pennsylvania including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and sector-specific training programs.
3. Private Foundation Grants: Support from organizations such as National Fund for Workforce Solutions, United Way, and Job Opportunities Investment Network (JOIN) for specific workforce initiatives and partnership programs.
4. No-Cost Employer Services: Business solutions including on-the-job training reimbursement, customized job training, incumbent worker training, apprenticeship development, and lay-off aversion services are provided at no cost to employers, funded through public workforce system resources.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Philadelphia Works develops and manages public workforce solutions that connect Philadelphia residents to employment and employers to qualified talent. As the city's designated Workforce Development Board, the organization operates the PA CareerLink Philadelphia one-stop system, administers registered apprenticeship programs (ApprenticeshipPHL, WeldWorks Philly, CyberPath PA), delivers employer-paid customized training (On-the-Job Training, Customized Job Training, Incumbent Worker Training), coordinates sector industry partnerships (SEPMA, H&EIP), runs the Good Jobs Challenge initiative, and provides youth and adult career navigation services - all delivered at no direct cost to participants and employers.

Product overview

Philadelphia Works operates as a 501c3 non-profit organization and the city's Workforce Development Board, functioning as a platform of workforce solutions rather than a single product. The core platform is the PA CareerLink Philadelphia system, which connects employers with job seekers. Around this core, Philadelphia Works offers multiple program modules including the Good Jobs Challenge (training in healthcare, life sciences, infrastructure, and energy sectors), industry-specific partnerships (SEPMA for manufacturing, H&EIP for hospitality), specialized apprenticeship programs (WeldWorks Philly, CyberPath PA, ApprenticeshipPHL), the WINC program for women in non-traditional careers, youth workforce programs, and research/reporting services like the Quarterly Labor Market Report. Training services include On-the-Job Training, Customized-Job-Training, and Incumbent Worker Training. All offerings are free to employers and designed to grow Philadelphia's economy by connecting employers to workforce talent and career seekers to jobs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ApprenticeshipPHL: A program to expand and improve the apprenticeship landscape in the southeast PA region, launched in 2018 during National Apprenticeship Week.
• WINC
• Your Next Step
• SEPMA
• Good Jobs Challenge
• H&EIP

Products and services

• PA CareerLink Philadelphia Comprehensive public workforce system connecting Philadelphia-area job seekers with employers; provides access to an online candidate pool, free job listing postings, hiring events, pre-screening for eligibility, training enrollment, and career counseling across multiple physical one-stop center locations.
• On-the-Job Training (OJT) Occupational skills training program enabling employers to hire and train new employees at their place of business while being reimbursed for training costs.
• Customized Job Training (CJT) Classroom-based training service helping employers train participants to meet specific job requirements, with employer commitment to hire upon successful completion.
• Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Training for employed workers with established work history of six months or more who need additional training to advance in their company or avoid layoff.
• Southeastern Pennsylvania Manufacturing Alliance (SEPMA) Multi-employer collaborative of 142+ regional manufacturers working with education, workforce development, economic development and community organizations to address workforce and competitiveness needs of the manufacturing industry.
• Hospitality and Entertainment Industry Partnership (H&EIP) Industry partnership providing training solutions, employee development, networking opportunities and recruitment strategies for restaurants, hotels, leisure, and entertainment businesses in Philadelphia.
• ApprenticeshipPHL Regional apprenticeship hub helping businesses build their own talent development pipeline or connect to existing registered apprenticeship programs in the region.
• WeldWorks Philly Registered Apprenticeship program for welding careers in advanced manufacturing, providing technical instruction and on-the-job training to address talent shortages in the manufacturing sector.
• CyberPath PA Apprenticeship program preparing Pennsylvania residents for careers as information security analysts, with training and employer partnerships across multiple counties.
• Good Jobs Challenge Workforce training initiative focused on equity, training and connecting individuals across underserved populations in Southeastern PA (Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia counties) with quality employment opportunities in Healthcare, Life Sciences, Infrastructure, and Energy sectors.
• WINC (Women in Nontraditional Careers) Philadelphia regional collaboration supporting, increasing and advancing the participation of women in construction, manufacturing, and transit careers.
• Your Next Step Interactive digital tool developed by Philadelphia Works in partnership with the City's Department of Commerce that helps local career seekers navigate available resources to support their career success.
• C2L-PHL (Career Connected Learning) Summer employment and career connected learning programs for Philadelphia youth and young adults, providing exposure to career opportunities and connections to training and employment.
• Youth and Young Adults Programs Job and training opportunities for Philadelphia residents ages 12-24, including partnerships with youth-serving organizations throughout the city.
• Quarterly Labor Market Report Regular labor market analysis and reporting providing insights into Philadelphia's workforce trends, employment data, and economic conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000 people to be placed into stable jobs through $22.7M EDA grant initiative
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered major funder, core funder, core partner, program partner, education partner, industry partner, government partner, core employer network, ecosystem partner, state partner, regional partner, content partner, partner and core program.

• U.S. Economic Development Administrationmajor funderOthers · 15 August 2022Awarded $22.7 million Good Jobs Challenge grant to develop workforce training programs in healthcare, energy, and infrastructure sectors across southeastern Pennsylvania over three years.
• U.S. Department of Laborcore funderOthersPrimary federal funder supporting WIOA workforce programs ($19.5M annually), TANF employment services ($42.1M annually), Apprenticeship Building America grant ($4.7M), and discretionary grants ($16M). Provides regulatory framework and policy guidance for workforce development activities.
• Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industrycore funderOthersState government partner providing PAsmart grants, CyberPath PA funding ($392,572), High Priority Occupations list coordination, and oversight of Pennsylvania's workforce development system.
• Philadelphia Youth Networkcore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey youth workforce partner providing program coordination for young adults ages 16-24, connecting youth to internship and employment opportunities through the city's workforce system.
• School District of Philadelphiacore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for youth workforce programs including career exposure, work permits, opportunity network, and career and technical education coordination for Philadelphia students.
• Big Picture Philadelphiaprogram partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth program provider offering career development services for young adults ages 16-21, part of the network of youth workforce providers.
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)program partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare employer partner providing career pathway programs for youth interested in health careers through the CHOP Career Path program.
• Congreso de Latinos Unidosprogram partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity-based workforce services provider serving Latino youth and young adults ages 18-25, part of Philadelphia Works' network of youth program providers.
• Community Integrated Services (CIS)program partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth workforce provider specializing in services for youth ages 14-24, including those with disabilities.
• Drexel University Center for Nonviolence and Social Justiceprogram partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcademic partner providing community health worker training and career pathways for youth ages 18-24.
• Temple University (Lenfest)program partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHigher education partner providing workforce programs and career development services for youth ages 14-24.
• Urban Affairs Coalition (YOACAP)program partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity organization providing youth workforce programming and career preparation services for young adults ages 18-24.
• Launch of Philadelphiaprogram partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth workforce services provider helping young adults ages 14-24 access career resources and opportunities.
• Nationalities Service Centerprogram partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorImmigrant services organization providing workforce programs for youth ages 14-24, supporting career pathways for new Americans.
• Xienteprogram partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth workforce provider offering career development services for young adults ages 16-24.
• PA CareerLink®core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide workforce system providing one-stop career centers. Philadelphia Works funds and manages PA CareerLink® Philadelphia locations serving career seekers and employers.
• Community College of Philadelphiaeducation partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary community college partner providing training programs, career pathways, and educational opportunities for Philadelphia residents.
• The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanianscore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting immigrant workforce integration, providing services to help new Americans access employment and career advancement.
• Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphiaindustry partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor business organization supporting workforce development advocacy and employer engagement in the Philadelphia region.
• Philadelphia Department of Commercegovernment partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity agency partner for workforce initiatives including Your Next Step tool, Career Connected Learning PHL, and Fair Chance Hiring.
• The Philadelphia Reentry Coalitioncore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition addressing reentry workforce needs, coordinating services for justice-involved individuals seeking employment.
• SEPMA Employer Partners (142+ manufacturers)core employer networkStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing employers in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Manufacturing Alliance, ranging from 10 to 2,000 employees, collaborating on workforce training, apprenticeship development, and career pathway programs. Includes Acme Corrugated Box, Advansix, Amuneal, Brooks Instrument, and many others.
• H&E Industry Partnership Employer Partnerscore employer networkStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality and entertainment employers including Aloft Hotels, Harrah's Philadelphia, Rivers Casino, Live! Casino, Sheraton Philadelphia, Aramark, and many restaurants and entertainment venues participating in industry workforce initiatives.
• SEPMA Affiliate Organizationsecosystem partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner47 affiliate organizations supporting manufacturing workforce development including workforce development boards, community colleges (Bucks County Community College, CCP), economic development corporations, and workforce service providers.
• Pennsylvania Workforce Development Boardstate partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level workforce board providing guidance and coordination for local workforce development boards including Philadelphia Works.
• Bucks County Community Collegeeducation partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner in SEPMA and workforce ecosystem, providing training programs for manufacturing and other sectors.
• Collegiate Consortiumeducation partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional consortium of higher education institutions supporting workforce development and educational pathways.
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)program partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrganization providing employment services for formerly incarcerated individuals, part of the workforce ecosystem serving disadvantaged populations.
• Chester County Economic Development Corporationregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization supporting workforce initiatives in southeastern Pennsylvania.
• Roadtrip Nationcontent partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit creating career exploration content featuring Philadelphia professionals, partnered to produce 'Paths Across Southeast Pennsylvania' documentary series and host the Roads to Careers Summit.
• Federal Reserve Bank of PhiladelphiapartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pay for Success workforce pilot, providing expertise and support for innovative workforce funding models.
• DVIRC (Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center)program partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing resource center providing technical assistance, training, and economic impact analysis for SEPMA employer partners.
• ApprenticeshipPHLcore programStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional apprenticeship hub (launched 2018) helping employers build apprenticeship programs and connecting job seekers to registered apprenticeship opportunities in high-demand industries.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership: The local Workforce Development Board for Chicago/Cook County under WIOA, performing an analogous system-leadership, employer convening, and job-seeker placement role. Directly comparable in structure, funding model (federal/state grants), and program portfolio.
• San Diego Workforce Partnership: The WIOA-designated workforce development board for San Diego County, operating a comparable mix of sector partnerships, employer services, career seeker support, and apprenticeship programs in a major metro region.
• Workforce Solutions (Houston/Gulf Coast): Workforce development board serving the Houston/Gulf Coast region with similar employer-focused training, sector partnerships, and WIOA-funded job-seeker services, serving as a structural analog to Philadelphia Works.
• Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board: The WIOA-designated board for Los Angeles County, providing workforce solutions, employer engagement, and career seeker services at a much larger metro scale; comparable in mandate, structure, and primary funder mix.

Broad incumbents

• National Fund for Workforce Solutions: National nonprofit investor in sector-based workforce partnerships and an active Philadelphia Works funder (supports SEPMA). Comparable mission and sector partnership model but operating nationally rather than as a single local WDB.
• Jobs for the Future: National nonprofit focused on workforce and education transformation, including sector partnerships, apprenticeship, and employer-led training—overlapping with Philadelphia Works' program areas but operating as a national intermediary and policy organization.

Emerging players

• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit providing training and corporate internship pathways for young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds. Comparable in serving similar populations (youth, low-income) with employer-aligned training, though focused on a specific program model.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free IT and cybersecurity training with employer connections, comparable to Philadelphia Works' CyberPath PA apprenticeship and technology career pathways for disadvantaged populations.

Others

• PA CareerLink® (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania): Statewide job-matching and one-stop career center system on which Philadelphia Works' core technology infrastructure depends. Not a peer in the competitive sense but a critical platform partner for service delivery.
• Community College of Philadelphia: Philadelphia's primary community college and a key Philadelphia Works education partner for training, credentials, and career pathways. Overlaps with Philadelphia Works on workforce training delivery but functions as an education institution rather than a workforce board.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/philaworks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PhiladelphiaWorks
• Facebookfacebook.com/philaworks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/philaworks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Philadelphia Works