The City of Philadelphia has made its picks for this year's Employer of Choice awards. A partnership between the Department of Commerce’s Office of Workforce Solutions and the Workforce Professional Alliance paved the way for the recognition of fourteen employers who stand out in their commitment to fostering a skilled workforce. These companies have been lauded for their focus on recruitment, retention, and promotional practices aimed at reducing the skills gap within the city's economy, as reported by the City of Philadephia.
In a display of dedication to narrowing economic disparities, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker emphasized the city's investment in workforce development and the cultivation of "quality jobs— with family-sustaining wages, benefits, and a path to economic mobility." According to an announcement by the city, these awards serve as a token of appreciation for businesses contributing to the stronger economic fabric of Philadelphia and enhancing the livelihoods of its citizens.
Alba Martinez, the Commerce Director, stated that Philadelphia is being positioned as "a global business hub with a skilled, performance-driven workforce," as per the City of Philadelphia. Martinez went on to express pride in the current awardees for their active roles in fortifying the city's workforce. The partnerships these employers have forged are recognized as vital to equipping the residents of Philadelphia with the necessary skills demanded by the market. Deputy Commerce Director Gianna Grossmann noted the personalized business services, networking opportunities, and access to workforce providers that awardees would enjoy, which will facilitate the development and growth of their talent pipelines.
An example of why some businesses stood out includes Integral Molecular's efforts in nurturing internal talent. As detailed by the City of Philadelphia, the company made waves by hosting and eventually promoting an intern from the Wistar Biomedical Technician Training Program to a Project Leader for Antibody Discovery. Another awardee, Saxbys, a coffee company, is noted for its support and empowerment of the next generation of leaders through its Experiential Learning Platform. Mary Walker, VP of Human Resources at PECO, one of the awardees, shared her company's dedication to creating "meaningful career pathways" while valuing "diversity, equity, and inclusion."
