Plus, Philadelphia Works' Patrick Clancy on what's really behind the phrase "people don't want to go back to work."

For now, details on execution are scarce, but the Philadelphia Apprentice Network will prioritize sharing best practices. Partners include Philadelphia Works and Community College of Philadelphia, among others.

PA's only institution of higher education focused entirely on adult learning, the 156-year-old college will offer Career Bridge, a degree program combining an accelerated time frame and stackable credentials, starting in the fall.

The first Philly cohort of Resilient Coders graduates in May, and two of its soon-to-be-grads share the apps they built with a focus on bettering society.

"We are a non-traditional transitional employer. Yes, we offer returning citizens sustainable employment, but we don’t just stop there," says General Manager Maurice Q. Jones.

"Sometimes we get too focused on the deficit model in Black communities. But there is an ‘and.’ We can offer basic digital learning and technology training," says Soneyet Muhammad.

Can workforce development spark community revitalization? A new coworking space for tech trainees and alumni launched by Hopeworks may hold the answer.

A new initiative from Philadelphia Youth Network will focus on providing “opportunity youth” (youth ages 16 to 24 who are neither in school nor working) with programming that can reconnect them to the workforce.