We, the undersigned, call on the City of Philadelphia to prioritize funding for career-connected learning programs in the city’s FY25 budget.
Year-round programs, like those currently in operation at the Philadelphia Youth Network, play a vital role in equipping youth with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to succeed in today’s competitive workforce, while fostering the economic strength and sustainability of our city.
The Case for Career-Connected Learning:
Proven Return on Investment: According to research from the Aspen Institute, workforce development programs generate a return of up to $4 for every $1 invested, through higher employment rates, increased tax revenue, and reductions in public assistance costs.
Addressing Inequities: Access to career-connected learning is a key strategy for reducing opportunity gaps for youth in underserved communities. Beyond providing direct impact, financial incentives, and wraparound social support services, these programs provide tangible pathways to economic mobility and long-term career success.
Meeting Employer Needs: By aligning education with workforce demands, career-connected learning supports a robust talent pipeline for local industries and strengthens Philadelphia’s economy.
Why it Matters:
Philadelphia’s future depends on the investments we make today in our youth. Targeted programs, like those offered by the Philadelphia Youth Network serve as a "cradle to career" pipeline, offering:
Early career exposure experiences in middle school to spark interest and build awareness of potential careers.
Intermediate Career exploration experiences, including intensive job shadowing, mentorship, and professional skills development for high school students, as well as young people disconnected from school or post-secondary opportunities to prepare them for their next steps.
Advancement Pathways to entry-level employment for young adults, ensuring they have the tools to thrive in high-quality jobs.
Despite their proven impact, year-round career-connected learning programs face funding challenges that threaten their ability to serve the city’s youth.
With adequate, year-round, financial support, philadelphia can become a nation leader in youth workforce development, promoting proven strategies to lift
Our Request:
We, the undersigned, urge the City of Philadelphia to:
Significantly increase and prioritize funding for year-round career-connected learning initiatives for ages 10 - 24 in the upcoming FY25 city budget.
Develop and sustain partnerships with organizations and local employers, including the Philadelphia Youth Network to provide incentivized workforce development programs promoting professional skills building, career exposure and exploration.
Ensure, and prioritize equitable access to these programs for all youth, focusing on young people form 14-24 from underserved communities.
We, the undersigned, believe that career-connected learning must be a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s strategy for youth development, workforce readiness, and economic growth.
We ask city lawmakers to commit to supporting these programs in the 2025 city budget.
