In an effort to target a population that school officials say has long failed to benefit from Penn's development, the University will start a program next month designed to give low-income Philadelphians skills to be successful in the trade industry.
Earlier this year, Penn officials announced the start of the Lucien E. Blackwell Apprenticeship Program, named after the former U.S. congressman and local City Councilman. The program, slated to start the first week of November, aims to train at least 25 women and minorities in specific trades over a six- to 10-month period.
The Univesity will then offer them work opportunities, preferably on campus construction projects.
"This is a historic program" that will "benefit Penn, the neighborhood and the city," said Glenn Bryan, assistant vice president of community relations. "No other educational institutions have done it to this degree."
Although the recruitment phase of the program isn't over yet, the program has already received over 50 applications.
The Greater Philadelphian Urban Affairs Coalition will review the applications and plans to accept most.
Ultimately, the program will train participants in professions such as carpentry, electricity and plumbing.
But while the program is free for applicants - Penn's partnership with Citizens Bank will help foot the $3,000 per person bill - Bryan said that one worry of the program is that it will suffer a large dropout rate.
Classes will be held after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, but Bryan still expects adverse economic circumstances to keep some participants from continuing, and officials have set a modest goal of 25 graduates for the first year.
"Having 25 trainees makes sense in making sure that we have a program that works and is successful in placing the trainees," Penn President Amy Gutmann said. "This is a breakthrough program that we hope grows over time."
The program has been advertised widely through grass-roots organizations so that all community members will get a fair opportunity to take advantage of this program said Lucy Kerman, director of strategic initiatives for GPUAC.
And Gutmann remained positive about the success of the program.
"We have the kind of support from both the trades and from the community to make this work," she said. "We are certainly doing our part."
