Jobs and Economic Development Group - April 29

A City That Works - April 29, 2008
Jobs and Economic Development Discussion Group at St. Gabriel's

Overall the evening went very well.  The citizens seemed interested, engaged and were not hesitant about sharing their opinions/perspectives.  The group was made up of typical citizens, government employees as well as a city councilman.  Each person brought a different perspective as well as a different understanding of the task at hand. 

-- Ellen Greenberg

What does this goal mean to you?

• We have a city where we have the right conditions for a thriving city.

• This is the linchpin of all of these groups. Have to provide the conditions to make Philadelphia the best city in the U.S.

• It’s important to everyone – to have a job, pay bills, raise a family, etc. We can’t have a society without a means of income.

• I like the idea of utilizing arts and culture and sustainability as ways to impact jobs and economic development.

• I work for the city; I’m interested in seeing changes as they relate to job processing (computers, databases, etc.).

• Jobs are the linchpin of everything – especially in underprivileged neighborhoods.  Jobs are the key to an equitable city.

• Without an economic base you don’t have a city.  Need to create an opportunity from crisis (i.e.: job loss, energy prices, environmental issues, etc.).  Utilize the opportunities of green jobs and creating a sustainable city – especially given that we can access new industries at a minimal cost.

• This is the most important thing in terms of improving all aspects of the city.  I work with the homeless and I’m acutely aware of the need for jobs.  Unemployment impacts all of the other issues that the city faces.

• We need to make sure that there is a livable wage in the city and explore ways to make it happen.

• I’m interested in how the planning aspect impacts improving the city, i.e.: making the city Green.

• I’m on the board of Young Interested Professionals, and I’m convinced that jobs will lead young people to stay in Philadelphia.  I also work full time at Ready, Willing and Able with people living on the brink with few options and trying to find ways to pay bills.  When given the opportunity, people will work.

Performance measures

• Reduce unemployment in the neighborhoods with the highest unemployment rates so that they reach the levels in the neighborhoods with the lowest unemployment rates

• Cost of doing business in Philadelphia should be at or below average as compared to the 50 largest cities (i.e.: compare the cost of building a parking lot in Phoenix, Chicago and Philadelphia).  Do this so that businesses would not only stay in Philadelphia, but would actually come to Philadelphia to do business.

• Create a comprehensive listing of job readiness programs (city, state and non profit run programs) and include eligibility requirements.  Once the comprehensive list is established, the amount of people who have gotten jobs through these programs needs to increase by 50%.

• Connection between Education and Jobs/employment: Increase the number/percent of teenagers hired for summer employment and tie the hiring of those teenagers to staying in school.

• Increase enrollment and graduation in Vocational High Schools by 25% within five years through ads and public service announcements. Encourage businesses to increase the number of employees based on the increased enrollment/graduation.

• Be able to start up a new business in 30 days or less, or the city pays your taxes for the first year.

• Completion of vocational school program – students receive industry certification.  Set a goal of 80% completion rate by instituting a work/study component with a paid internship in senior year.  The city will subsidize up to 40% of the new workers’ first year of wages in the form of tax reductions.

Customer-service standards

• For people who are unemployed - they need to have a face to face about job opportunities and benefits within three days of calling 311 so they don’t lose housing and put their kids at risk.

• Currently, job application centers exist, but they only offer intake.  They could offer additional assistance to help people fill out applications or give candidates alternate information.  If people aren’t approved or are unqualified, the employees of the job center could utilize a checklist to go over with applicants that would provide other alternatives for the applicants.

• Have trained job counselors call parents/guardians of teenage workers and inform them of the interviews that their teenage children have been set up with.