University City District’s award-winning job training program, The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, is recruiting a new cohort of trainees for a program that includes a guaranteed job interview with a local landscaping company. From Jan. 3rd through the 26th, the program will be recruiting unemployed West Philadelphia residents for a training program with BrightView Landscapes LLC.

BrightView is a commercial landscaping company that holds over 80 percent of the landscaping contracts in University City. 

The program is seeking applicants who possess a high school diploma or GED; are currently unemployed; and live in the West Philadelphia zip codes of 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, or 19151. Applicants should have experience working in landscaping, labor, outdoor work, or related fields. Program graduates will have the opportunity to interview with BrightView and will receive a performance-based stipend during the training.

Interested applicants should visit www.westphiladelphiaskill.org to learn more about the program and submit an application, available under “Opportunities for Job Seekers.” Applications are also available here. Paper applications are available at First District Plaza, Suite 206 from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative launched over six years ago and has served nearly 800 individuals through its training programs, internships and workshops. Last year, 93 percent of its participants connected to employment.