The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative has launched recruitment for a new job training program in partnership with PIDC’s Navy Yard Workforce Development Initiatives. This is their first collaborative professional development program that will train West and South Philadelphia residents for permanent, full-time, quality-wage careers.

Four Seasons Total Landscaping, a certified women-owned business founded in 1992, is the first employer partner at the Navy Yard to participate in the program. It will offer opportunities for graduates to interview for laborer positions starting at $14/hour.

The program is a cohort-based training model that will blend virtual courses and in-person sessions (with high COVID-19 safety compliance) to train for two roles: Grounds Maintenance Laborers earning $14/hour, and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Laborers earning $18.98/hour. 

During the six-week program, participants will earn an OSHA-10 – General Industry Safety Certification, First Aid/CPR certification, and gain exposure to GSI work, plant beds, and small machinery. This hands-on training will be provided by Four Seasons Total Landscaping in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

The program seeks goal-oriented, motivated individuals living in South & West Philadelphia who would like to obtain full-time permanent employment in the landscaping industry. Interested applicants can visit https://navyyard.org/workforce/jobs to learn more about the program and submit an application through Friday, Feb. 5 at 5:00 p.m.

A virtual information session will be held this Thursday, Jan. 28, at 11:00 a.m. To RSVP, please email to: bflcdornsifecenter@drexel.edu. See the attached flyer for more details.

Since its inception, WPSI has provided job training and employment opportunities to more than a thousand West Philly residents. The program has previously partnered with the area’s universities, health systems, and other large employers. WPSI has also had tremendous success connecting West Philadelphians to landscaping positions through previous partnerships with Brightview Landscaping and in the development of University City District’s own Green City Works social venture landscaping business.