Jordan Shirer joined Hopeworks about 4 months ago, after hearing about our program, and knew that it would be a great opportunity for him to change his life! After completing his training, internship, and a grueling testing and application process, Jordan has been accepted into the Philly Shipyard Apprenticeship Program for welding! This is an intensive 3-year program where he will learn numerous trade skills. Jordan passed a mechanical aptitude test and was chosen out of 400+ applicants!
“The welding trade is vast and very necessary right now. In 3 years I can see myself possibly in Georgia with my family starting my career. I also have a brother in the military who has encouraged me to transition my career there as well.”
Jordan’s advice to future Hopeworks trainees and interns is to take the program serious and go at your own pace.
“Take it serious, Hopeworks can honestly help you, and you can go anywhere with it, as long as you come in with the determination to be better for yourself. Take your time and don’t rush, you’re young and have time to figure it out.”
In this series, Michelle Cheang, director of Catalyze, sat down with alumni and current participants of Catalyze-supported career-connected learning programs. Through in-depth conversations, Michelle and the learners discuss their experiences, growth and career goals. In the following videos, we'll hear directly from EJ Garcia, a learner at Hopeworks, about how he has developed his career […]
This episode of The Water Online Show focuses on the water industry's workforce shortage. Hopeworks, a training organization, is addressing this challenge by partnering with utilities like American Water. Hopeworks identifies employer needs, trains young professionals, and places them in well-suited roles. This innovative approach is helping to bridge the skills gap and ensure a […]
Grace Manning leads a program helping land young professionals work at companies like Subaru. Grace Manning is director of employer and alumni relations at Hopeworks, a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia and South New Jersey, offering workforce development programs to young adults. Through training programs, paid internships, and placement services with local employers, Hopeworks helps young, diverse […]
