Study Tour to the City of Philadelphia

Philadelphia & the City Region

5-10 October. 2008

UK and U.S. Cities share a common policy challenge:How to maintain strong economic growth while ensuring new opportunities are made available to groups traditionally excluded from the labour market?

The skills agenda and strategies for workforce development are central to the delivery of Local Area Agreements (LAAs) and Multi Area Agreements (MAAs) in the UK.As the recommendations in the Leitch Review are implemented, and as LSC and Jobcentre Plus priorities become more integrated, what lessons might we exchange with our counterparts in the U.S.?

Philadelphia has been described as a city moving in two directions.It hosts a strong regional economy, revitalised neighbourhoods and a diverse workforce.The region is home to some of the most competitive educational and medical institutions in the world, and enjoys its location in the commercial corridor between New York City and Washington, DC.

At the same time, the Philadelphia area economy has undergone a transformation from factory and industry jobs, to knowledge-based jobs that require education and problem-solving skills for entrance and advancement.Philadelphia’s educational and social systems are reforming to keep pace so that the poorest of the city’s residents are not left behind.This is a significant challenge:Philadelphia ranks first amongst America’s 10 largest cities with residents living in poverty.And as the baby boomers retire, many believe the existing workforce is unprepared to take its place.Ultimately, this could have implications for the social fabric of the city.

In January 2008, the new mayor of Philadelphia pledged to offer businesses a skilled and educated workforce by setting his government the target of doubling the college degree attainment rate over the next 5 to 10 years.The effort focuses on recruiting the business community to partner with the city, the region’s colleges and universities and their employees to make college completion a priority.The administration has set a subsequent target to halve the high school drop-out rate over the next 5 years. Philadelphia’s Workforce Investment Board, appointed by the Mayor, is driving forward this agenda to align the skills of the region’s workforce with the needs of employers in the city region.

The Working Cities tour provided a UK delegation the opportunity for a knowledge exchange on workforce development strategies with the City of Philadelphia.

Visits took place in Philadelphia and the surrounding city region and included:

• Advisors to the Mayor
• Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board
• Chamber of Commerce
• Philadelphia Unemployment Project
• Empowerment Zones
• Burlington County Institute of Technology (vo-tech high school)
• Philadelphia Community-based Development Corp
• Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
• Transitional Work Corporation
• Department for Housing and Urban Development
• Commercial Corridor Revitalisation Initiative
• Urban League of Philadelphia Employment Network.

Key questions for the Philadelphia Study Tour were:

• What level of investment has been made in the regeneration of deprived neighbourhoods?
• What steps is Philadelphia taking to engage its untapped pool of labour?
• How does the Workforce Investment Board support innovative employment and skills programmes in the City?
• How is the City encouraging employers to improve job quality?
• How are programmes designed to accommodate the range of minority groups in the City?
• What changes are being made to the education system, particularly at the vocational and high school levels?

Designed for:

• Policy officials from DIUS, DWP, BERR and CLG
• Learning and Skills Council (LSC) directors and economic development managers
• Local Authority directors of regeneration, economic development or social inclusion
• City Strategy Pathfinders
• Employment service and learning providers
• Government Offices working to strengthen the economic performance of the regions