Jobs and Economic Development Group - May 19

A City That Works - May 19, 2008
Jobs and Economic Development Discussion Group at the High School of the Future

Overall, the evening went very well.  The citizens seemed interested, engaged and were not hesitant about sharing their opinions.  The group was made up of typical citizens.  One person was an ex-offender who was passionate about the issue of the ability of ex-offenders to find work, and another person was passionate about trade schools. 

-- Ellen Greenberg

What does this goal mean to you?

• Stop the brain drain. There are 50 to 100 major colleges in Philadelphia, whose grads leave Philadelphia.  Success would be having those grads stay in Philadelphia, to work and to live here.

• College education and trades go hand in hand.  There would be an equal emphasis on both. We can’t have one without the other.

• To work for the city – you wouldn’t have to pay to look for and get a job with the city.

• For certain jobs in the city, applicants shouldn’t need to take a test.  If you don’t have the skills, you should be able to get trained to do the work you’re interested in doing.

• Employers would be giving ex-offenders job opportunities.

• Ex-offenders and unemployed people would be able to start up their own businesses. (They would also have start-up help, mentoring and various initiatives to support starting their own businesses.)

• All of the information (programs, contractor information, etc.) will be centrally located and easily accessible.

• My kids and grandkids will look to Philadelphia as a place to live and work.

• People on welfare who complete training programs will be able to find work (and won’t be discriminated against).

• There will be tax incentives to support people/employers to find work/hire people on welfare and who are ex-offenders.

• If a student goes to school in Philadelphia, they should be a guarantee of work upon graduation (i.e.: internship, work study, etc.).

• The city will identify the critical jobs needed (i.e.; "green" jobs) so people will know what fields in which to be trained.

Performance measures (What success would look like)

• First-time offenders: – 10 percent of all ex-offenders will be placed in jobs within a year. The 10 percent will be people who were on probation or on parole and who were released and reside in Philadelphia. The 10 percent is also made up of people who have taken job training, life-skill training and have received tax incentives.

• Increase the number of pardons yearly from 1 percent to 20 percent.

• For 10 percent of enrolled college students in Philadelphia schools: Summer internship programs between the junior and senior years will allow them to work for the city in their field. (This will be a cooperative between colleges and the city.)

• The city will identify seven key green industries and related jobs of the future and provide training for 20 percent of unemployed citizens to build skills in those industries.

• The city will provide business skills and opportunities for those trained in skilled trades in order to get them into entrepreneurial jobs.

• College students will apply for a city-sponsored grant that will allow them to explore/expand/develop a “green” venture.

Customer-service standards

• Employees who hire ex-offenders will be a part of a city-run quality assurance program to ensure that employees/ex-offenders are being treated fairly.

• When city government officials (i.e. the mayor) receive letters from citizens, there will be a timely response.  Either a letter (within three weeks) or an e-mail (within a week) that at least acknowledges that the letter has been received.

• When I call 311, a person will answer the phone and provide accurate information (no transferring).

• If someone wants to start a business, they can get all of the information they need to legally set up the business from 311.

• Workers at health centers (specifically the one located at 44th and Haverford) will treat patients with respect. Patients will receive the same standard of services that a patient with a six-figure salary would receive.