What District 1199C does

District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund is a non-profit labor-management trust fund established in 1974 through collective bargaining agreements between District 1199C of the National Union of Hospital & Health Care Employees (NUHHCE), AFSCME, AFL-CIO, and 11 Philadelphia hospitals. The Fund delivers free or low-cost education, job training, and career pathway services to healthcare union members employed at 50+ acute care hospitals, long-term care and behavioral health facilities, and homecare agencies across the Delaware Valley, while also serving community members through GED/HiSET preparation, ESL classes, and the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership. It is governed by a joint union-employer Board of Trustees and funded by employer contributions negotiated through collective bargaining, supplemented by federal, state, and private foundation grants.

The Fund operates an integrated educational model that advances students toward academic and career goals simultaneously by embedding contextualized workforce preparation into academic courses and literacy supports into occupational courses. Core products include GED/HiSET preparation, ESL, Home Health Aide and Nurse Aide training, a 22-month Practical Nursing Program delivered through its Health & Technology Training Institute (HTTI) sub-brand, 12+ DOL-recognized registered apprenticeship programs covering occupations from CNA and LPN to Community Health Worker and Sterile Processing Technician, tuition reimbursement (up to $5,000/year for full-time members), career coaching, and the LISC-supported Financial Opportunity Center. Programs are delivered through a 35,000-square-foot Breslin Learning Center in Center City Philadelphia, on-site at employer worksites, virtually, and via a network of partnership schools including Community College of Philadelphia, Peirce College, Thomas Jefferson University, and DeVry University.

Commercially, the Fund's revenue mechanics are tied to multi-employer collective bargaining contributions, with material grants including a $7.5M award in Q1 2021 and a US DOL Industry Intermediary Contract (2022-2023) to expand registered apprenticeship nationally. Reach metrics include 4,000+ students served annually (350/month average), 100,000+ students since founding, 80% positive outcomes for the GED-to-Careers youth program, and 70% HSPA certification pass rates for ATS sterile processing apprentices. Technology stack is non-AI and includes Formstack, Calendly, Mailchimp, ChildPlus, and standard testing integrations; no proprietary software products or APIs are offered.

Name

District 1199C

Legal name

District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund

Website

https://1199ctraining.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund is a Philadelphia-based non-profit labor-management trust founded in 1974 that delivers free or low-cost education, job training, and registered apprenticeships in 12+ healthcare occupations to union members and community job seekers through a 35,000-square-foot learning center and partnership schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development & Training Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Healthcare training programs
• Registered apprenticeship programs
• Adult education services
• Union training benefits

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Union Bargaining Fund (Employer Contributions): The Training Fund is funded through collective bargaining agreements between District 1199C union and healthcare employers. Employers contribute to the Training Fund on behalf of their union employees, entitling those workers to access training benefits at no cost.
2. Tuition Reimbursement for Members: Members covered by the Training Fund benefit receive tuition reimbursement after six months of union membership. Full-time members may receive up to $5,000 per year for approved college and vocational courses, workshops, and seminars. The benefit is pro-rated for part-time workers. This is a disbursement from the Fund rather than revenue.
3. Grant Funding: The Training Fund receives grant funding from government agencies and private foundations. Notable grants include a $7.5 million award in Q1 2021 to the Training Fund and partner coalitions, and an Early Head Start grant from the US Administration for Children & Families.
4. US DOL Industry Intermediary Contract: The Training Fund was awarded a US Department of Labor Industry Intermediary Contract in partnership with SEIU Education and Support Fund and Healthcare Career Advancement Program (H-CAP) to expand Registered Apprenticeship utilization in the care economy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund is a labor-management workforce development trust fund that provides free or low-cost education, job training, and career advancement services to eligible District 1199C healthcare union members and the broader Philadelphia community. Core offerings include GED/HiSET preparation, ESL classes, nursing career pathways (CNA, LPN, Home Health Aide), 12 registered apprenticeship programs in healthcare occupations, tuition reimbursement up to $5,000/year, career coaching, and the Financial Opportunity Center. The Fund operates the 35,000-square-foot Breslin Learning Center in Center City Philadelphia and serves over 4,000 students annually.

Product overview

District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund is a workforce development organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of education and training programs for healthcare union members and the community. The core offerings include GED and HiSET preparation programs, English as a Second Language (ESL), nursing career pathways (Home Health Aide, Nurse Aide, Practical Nursing through the Health & Technology Training Institute), registered apprenticeship programs in 12+ healthcare occupations, and continuing education including basic computers, career coaching, and financial coaching through the Financial Opportunity Center. The Breslin Learning Center (35,000 sq ft) serves as the primary training facility, while tuition reimbursement (up to $5,000/year), apprenticeship programs, and Early Head Start child care provide complementary support services. The Training Fund operates as a labor-management partnership created by collective bargaining, serving over 4,000 students annually through free or low-cost programs for eligible District 1199C union members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Breslin Learning Center: The 35,000-square foot training facility located in Center City Philadelphia where the Training Fund delivers educational programs and classes.
• Health & Technology Training Institute (HTTI)
• Financial Opportunity Center (FOC)

Products and services

• GED and HiSET Preparation Programs Educational programs preparing adult learners and out-of-school youth for Pennsylvania-recognized GED and HiSET equivalency exams, including foundational reading, writing, math, and computer skills, refresher courses, and college/job training entrance test preparation.
• GED to Careers Program (Ages 17-24) Out-of-school youth program (ages 17-24) providing academic instruction to help young adults obtain GED credentials and transition into post-secondary education, including life skills, college readiness, career exposure, computer technology, job fairs, career panels, and college tours.
• Upskilling & Reskilling Classes Adult education programs that help learners acquire new skills for career advancement or career changes, addressing technology changes, emerging job opportunities, career protection, and upward mobility.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) English language classes teaching speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, including Integrated English Language and Civics Education (IELCE) for job training, civics education, community engagement, and citizenship preparation.
• Home Health Aide Training 3-month part-time certificate program for English Language Learners preparing for healthcare careers, combining healthcare training with English language improvement and medical-related English instruction.
• Nurse Aide Training 4-month part-time program preparing students for the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry, including classroom instruction, laboratory experience, clinical training, and CPR certification, with eligibility to take the Credentia competency examination.
• Practical Nursing Program (LPN) 22-month part-time evening and weekend course designed for working adults, leading to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification, offered through the Health & Technology Training Institute (HTTI) and serving as a first step toward the Registered Nurse (RN) pathway.
• CPR and First Aid Certification Certification and renewal training for First Aid and CPR/BLS for District 1199C Healthcare Union Members, delivered as approximately 2 hours of training available by appointment.
• ServSafe Certification 15-hour training and certification course covering safe practices in food preparation, handling, storage, and distribution, available by appointment for eligible members.
• Pharmacy Technician Program 90-hour course consisting of 36-hour Pharmacy Math review and 54-hour Pharmacy classroom component, preparing students for pharmacy technician certification.
• Telemetry Technician Program 60-hour course covering the cardiovascular system, cardiac drugs, medical terminology, and proper interpretation of telemetry monitoring.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program Reimbursement program available to members after six months of union membership, with full-time members eligible for up to $5,000 per year for approved college and vocational courses, workshops, and seminars, pro-rated for part-time workers.
• Career Coaching Services One-on-one career counseling helping members create educational plans for career goals, including resume development, interviewing skills, vocational interest assessment, academic evaluation, job placement assistance, labor market information, and career ladder planning.
• Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) Integrated services offering credit improvement, emergency fund building, debt management, benefits enrollment, and career planning aligned with apprenticeship wage steps, delivered through monthly group orientations and one-on-one coaching as part of a national LISC-supported network.
• Registered Apprenticeship Program Earn-while-you-learn Registered Apprenticeship programs providing apprenticeship opportunities in healthcare and human services, with National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards established across 12 healthcare occupations, recognized by the US Department of Labor.
• Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Free, high-quality full-day childcare (up to 10 hours/day) for eligible infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) in Philadelphia County, offering early childhood education, meals, family support services, and a network of licensed center-based and family childcare providers, with priority enrollment for children with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness or in foster care.
• EMT Training Emergency Medical Technician training program available by appointment to eligible District 1199C members.
• Breslin Learning Center Professional Development Courses Professional development and basic education courses offered at the Breslin Learning Center, including Basic Computers (48-hour intro to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet, email), Communications/Leadership (24-hour intro), and Personal Finance (20-hour budgeting, credit, insurance, and investing course), with flexible morning, evening, and weekend hours.
• Grant Writing Toolkit Practical guide released April 29, 2025 to help organizations navigate the grant application process, covering organizational preparation, funding opportunity identification, competitive application writing, awarded grant management, and outcome evaluation.
• Registered Apprenticeship Accelerator Events Educational accelerator events covering topics such as ECE & Healthcare Apprenticeship 101 and Individuals with Disabilities, delivered virtually to share information about apprenticeship programs supporting professional growth.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 Delaware Valley students served since founding in 1974
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DeVry University and Keller Graduate School of ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2024District 1199C announced a partnership with DeVry University offering exclusive tuition savings on certificate and degree programs for District 1199C Union Members. This partnership provides members with access to undergraduate and graduate programs with reduced tuition costs.
• We Will All RisecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2024A partnership between We Will All Rise and District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund to address the underrepresentation of Black and Brown men in the education sector. The collaboration aims to scale the 'I Can Teach' program, which exposes young men of color to careers in education, and evolve it into a recognized apprenticeship program meeting national standards. We Will All Rise Founder Ricardo O. Neal and Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Mark Nash Sr. lead this collaboration, with Stean Wilborn of 1199C serving as Subject Matter Expert.
• ACUDEN (Puerto Rico Administration of Integral Child Care and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2023District 1199C partnered with ACUDEN to implement an Early Childhood Education Registered Apprenticeship Program for Puerto Rico's Early Head Start & Head Start Programs. This is one of the largest initiatives for the island, covering 18 Early Head Start Centers and 164 Head Start Centers across 24 Municipalities. Over 580 personnel registered to get certified. The Training Fund provides expertise in workforce development and apprenticeship standards.
• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) Financial Opportunity CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Training Fund uses the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) model, part of a national network supported by LISC. Through integrated services — financial coaching, career development, and income support — the FOC helps members build family-sustaining careers and achieve long-term financial stability. LISC provides access to proven tools and resources.
• Philadelphia FIGHTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhiladelphia FIGHT partnered with District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund to implement the first Community Health Worker Registered Apprenticeship in Pennsylvania. FIGHT identified and employed the first apprentice, Grace Rutha, who completed 150-hour classroom training and works as a Community Health Worker Apprentice in an HIV Peer Counselor role.
• SEIU Education and Support Fund (ESF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SEIU Education and Support Fund as part of the US DOL Industry Intermediary Contract awarded to expand Registered Apprenticeship in the care economy.
• Healthcare Career Advancement Program (H-CAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with H-CAP as part of the US DOL Industry Intermediary Contract to expand Registered Apprenticeship in the care economy.
• Delaware County Community College (DCCC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDCCC is a new partner in the Upfront Payment Agreement Process through the Tuition Assistance Program. Members attending DCCC can access up-front tuition reimbursement.
• Community College of PhiladelphiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity College of Philadelphia participates in the Partnership Schools for Up-Front Reimbursement program. Tuition Reimbursement pays for up to 6 classes for Fall and Spring semesters if funds are available.
• Montgomery County Community College (MCCC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMCCC participates in the Partnership Schools for Up-Front Reimbursement program for eligible District 1199C members.
• Peirce CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeirce College participates in the Partnership Schools for Up-Front Reimbursement program. Reduced undergraduate tuition to $350/credit starting July 1, 2024. Offers 100% online undergraduate certificates in Business & Management, Health Information Management, Information Technology, and Legal Studies.
• Thomas Jefferson UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThomas Jefferson University participates in the Partnership Schools for Up-Front Reimbursement program, enabling District 1199C members to access tuition assistance for degree programs.
• Penn State AbingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPenn State Abington faculty member Kathleen Fadigan proposed an Addiction Counselor Apprenticeship to the District 1199C Training Fund in collaboration with the Philadelphia Mental Health Care Corp. (PMHCC).
• Aseptic Technical Solutions (ATS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATS, founded by Michael Thinner and Terry Scott, is a sterile processing training and consulting company that partnered with District 1199C to offer apprenticeships in sterile processing. ATS has achieved a 70% HSPA certification exam pass rate and places graduates in healthcare facilities including Thomas Jefferson Health System, Crozier Health System, Trinity Health System, and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. ATS has 2 out of 3 students become Sterile Processing Technicians.
• National Skills Coalition (NSC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistrict 1199C was invited by the National Skills Coalition to provide testimony at a Business Leaders United fly-in advocating for increased funding for apprenticeship programs. NSC brings together organizations working to advance workforce development policy.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds: The flagship 1199 labor-management training fund in New York, providing workforce development, tuition reimbursement, and apprenticeship programs for SEIU 1199 healthcare workers. Most directly comparable to District 1199C given the shared union lineage, labor-management governance model, and healthcare-worker focus.
• Healthcare Career Advancement Program (H-CAP): National labor-management organization focused on expanding career advancement and apprenticeship opportunities in the healthcare industry. Already a co-partner on the Fund's US DOL Industry Intermediary Contract and directly comparable in mission and target population.
• SEIU Education and Support Fund: Sister SEIU organization providing education and career advancement programs for SEIU members nationally. Co-partner on the DOL Industry Intermediary Contract and structurally comparable as a labor-affiliated training/education fund.
• District 1199J Training and Education Fund: The New England counterpart 1199 training fund serving healthcare workers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Shares the same NUHHCE union lineage, labor-management trust structure, and healthcare apprenticeship focus as District 1199C.
• Community College of Philadelphia: Local Philadelphia institution offering GED prep, ESL, nursing programs, and workforce training directly overlapping with the Fund's offerings. A channel partner for up-front tuition reimbursement, but also a direct competitor for the same adult learner population.
• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit providing training, apprenticeship, and career placement services for young adults from underserved communities. Comparable in mission, target population (career-pathway seekers), and outcome-driven training model, though broader in industry focus than the Fund's healthcare specialization.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free technology and professional skills training with employer partnerships. Comparable in employer-funded training model and outcome-driven placement focus, though centered on IT rather than healthcare.

Regional players

• Philadelphia Works: Philadelphia's local Workforce Development Board administering WIOA-funded workforce programs in the same geography. A regional peer in the workforce development ecosystem and a potential funder/partner for shared customers.
• Esperanza: Philadelphia-based Hispanic-led nonprofit providing adult education, workforce development, and community services in the same regional market. Comparable as a community-based education and training provider serving overlapping populations in Philadelphia.

Others

• AFSCME Education, Training and Learning Department: Education and training arm of AFSCME — the parent union federation of District 1199C (NUHHCE, AFSCME, AFL-CIO). Operates the Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality (PEOPLE) training fund and related apprenticeship programs; relevant as the broader union labor-management training infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/1199ctraining
• Facebookfacebook.com/1199CTrainingFund
• Instagraminstagram.com/1199ctraining

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about District 1199C