Last week, Mayor Michael A. Nutter congratulated seven interns who are working at Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) during a six-week, employer-paid internship through the WorkReady Philadelphia summer program. The high school interns are acquiring professional experience in various PGW departments while developing a better understanding of how education is directly connected to economic success. WorkReady offers young participants an opportunity to experience a workplace environment, learn about career and education opportunities and earn school credit. Many WorkReady internships are employer-paid opportunities.
“It’s important to provide our youth with workplace experience and academic enrichment opportunities so they are well prepared to take on professional leadership roles,” said Mayor Nutter. “WorkReady Philadelphia’s growth is an example of the success that results when public and private partners work together to create valuable professional and academic development opportunities for Philadelphia’s youth. I thank PGW and other participating companies for their ongoing commitment to investing in our youth through the WorkReady Philadelphia program.”
“We are pleased that Mayor Nutter has joined us today in recognizing our WorkReady interns. The company is proud of our three year partnership with the Philadelphia Youth Network in preparing young people for their future careers. Our participation has been beneficial not only in terms of what we provide the interns but, as important, what they provide management in understanding the needs and desires of a new generation of future employees,” said Thomas E. Knudsen, PGW President and CEO.
WorkReady provided academic and work opportunities for 8,500 youth in 2009 and over 11,000 youth in 2010. During its first year in 2003, WorkReady provided 164 employer-paid internships to young people, yet over the last four years this number has increased to over 1,000 paid opportunities. In the summer of 2010, the City partnered with the School District of Philadelphia and WorkReady to create opportunities through the SLAM (Summer Learning and More) program that would provide 1,500 high school students an opportunity to enroll in summer learning programs while participating in internships.
WorkReady Philadelphia is funded through public, foundation and employer dollars and is a collaborative partnership of the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Youth Network, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia Academies, Inc., and United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. To learn more about WorkReady Philadelphia, log onto www.workreadyphila.com.
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