Thaddeus Stevens College expands workforce training to North Philadelphia

Lancaster-based Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is launching a training location with Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia. 

It marks the newest location in the Tec Centro Workforce Network on Esperanza’s multi-service campus in Hunting Park, North Philadelphia. Thaddeus Stevens College has operated short-term training as part of its Workforce and Economic Development Center for about a decade and is expanding those trainings into a new region. Enrollment is open for upcoming information sessions. 

“It has always been the mission of Thaddeus Stevens College to create access and opportunity for education,” Pedro Rivera, president of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, said in a statement. “Partnering with deeply embedded community organizations such as Esperanza, known for its dedication to uplifting the community in tangible ways, as well as Tec Centro, focused on training to open doors for a bright future, we couldn’t envision a better relationship to establish the College’s presence in Philadelphia. 

“Together, we are excited to offer a curriculum and a chance for those looking to build a stable, meaningful career.” 

The workforce training center is the seventh site in the statewide network and will provide adult basic education and no-cost career training in high-demand skilled trades for unemployed and underemployed adults. The opening of Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia is possible through funding received by the Tec Centro Workforce Network, a 501(c)(3) organization. The funds provided to the network support the opening of new centers, construction, outfitting, and workforce training. 

According to a release, Esperanza brings nearly 20 years of workforce development experience helping Philadelphians access employment opportunities. The new site will expand access to workforce training while helping meet the demand for skilled workers in industries throughout the region. 

Programs launching at Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia, in partnership with Thaddeus Stevens College, include Metals Fabrication and Welding Technology, Commercial-Industrial HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning), Commercial-Industrial Plumbing, and Facility Maintenance Technology. Programs are open to adults 18 and older in the Philadelphia area seeking career opportunities, including individuals from all backgrounds and experience levels. No prior training is required. ESL and GED classes will also be available for participants seeking to strengthen foundational skills. 

Construction and final preparations for Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia have begun, with workforce training programs expected to start after the center’s completion this summer. The first student cohorts are expected to launch at the end of this month. 

Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia is a collaboration between Esperanza, the Tec Centro Workforce Network and the Workforce & Economic Development Center at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. The new center expands access to workforce education and career pathways for adults across Philadelphia while helping meet local workforce demands. 

“By ensuring individuals have access to family-sustaining jobs, we continue to fulfill our vision of an opportunity community where everyone has access to economic mobility and a good quality of life,” said Rev. Danny Cortés, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Esperanza. “By addressing remaining gaps in access to training and job placement opportunities in these growing trades, this initiative will be a vital contributor to the overall health and economic vitality of Philadelphia and the region.” 

The launch of Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia marks another milestone in the Tec Centro Workforce Network’s mission to expand community-based workforce training across Pennsylvania and connect more residents to family-sustaining careers. 

“Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia represents exactly what the Tec Centro Workforce Network was created to accomplish, which is bringing together trusted community organizations, educational institutions, employers, and local leaders to expand opportunity where it is needed most,” said Carlos Graupera, president and CEO of the Tec Centro Workforce Network. “Every new center strengthens our statewide network while creating new pathways to family-sustaining careers for individuals and stronger workforces for the communities we serve. We are proud to welcome Esperanza as the newest partner in this growing movement,”  

Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia is initially expected to train approximately 90 individuals annually, creating pathways to employment, economic mobility, and long-term career growth for adults and families in the region.