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.”
The nonprofit provides paid training, career support and real work to help 17- to-26-year-olds move into full-time jobs averaging $43K a year. In a bright room at Hopeworks Kensington, young adults sit at computers learning to code, build websites and prepare for careers many once thought were out of reach. Some come in unsure of […]
The Rutgers Camden Campus Center was transformed into a high-energy hub of professional development last week as Hopeworks hosted its third annual HOPE Summit. Headlined by Truist Bank, the event served as a critical bridge between young adults in the region and some of the most influential employers in the Greater Philadelphia area. The summit is a cornerstone of […]
Headlined by Truist Bank, the event removed access barriers to career readiness, connecting Camden, NJ – March 16, 2026 – On Thursday, March 12, Hopeworks, a social enterprise dedicated toempowering young adults to establish living wage careers, hosted its third annual HOPE Summit at theRutgers Camden Campus Center. Headlined by sponsor Truist Bank, the summit […]
