WorkReady is a program in July-August for youth living in Philadelphia. This year, WorkReady Summer experiences will include safe in-person participation at least 3 days/week. Vaccinations are not required for WorkReady overall but may be required based on program or worksite requirements.
This year, WorkReady Summer experiences will include safe in-person participation at least 3 days/week. To keep everyone safe, we will continue to monitor all government orders and recommendations.
Participants in WorkReady Summer programs can earn up to ~$1,000* depending on the program. There are two types of programs offered in the summer:
Incentive-based programs are targeted towards young people with little to no previous work experience and are open to 12-24 year-olds. These programs offer opportunities to learn about careers and career pathways, set short-term goals, and provide the opportunity to work on individual or group projects. These programs pay up to $1,000 based on the number of projects and milestones completed during the program.
Wage-based programs are targeted towards young people with previous work or leadership experience and are open to 14-24 year-olds. These programs offer opportunities for career exploration and preparation and engage participants in hourly work-based experiences. Young people earn $11 per hour in wage-based programs and usually work about 20 hours per week.
*Figure is based on estimated take-home pay. Full completion of program hours is necessary to earn the maximum amount possible.
WorkReady experiences will be in-person this summer. Some programs will be 100% in-person (5 days a week), while other programs will be hybrid, with at least 3 days in-person and 1-2 days virtual.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required to apply for WorkReady. However, proof of COVID-19 vaccination may be required and collected based on local mandates, program requirements and/or worksite policies.
WorkReady is for Philadelphia residents between the ages of 12-24. Young adults who have graduated high school but are under 24 are eligible if they are disconnected from both school and work. Individual programs may have additional eligibility requirements such as age or zip code.
You must live within Philadelphia, be between 12-24, and submit your vital docs to participate.
Individual programs may have additional eligibility requirements. Visit our Program Locator to learn more.
You'll need an email address to apply for WorkReady. You can create a free email account using Google, Outlook or Yahoo. We will reach out to you by email, text and phone calls to help you throughout this process.
Learn more:
You must complete all the steps BEFORE you can start your WorkReady summer program. Steps 2-4 are by invitation only and are dependent on completing the step before.
Filling out an application lets us know you're interested in WorkReady. If you already know which program you want, enter their referral code on your application. If you aren't connected to a WorkReady program partner, you can find a code for one of our programs using our Program Locator.
Applying to WorkReady Summer does not guarantee placement in a program.
Based on your application in Step 1, PYN or our WorkReady provider partners may invite you to Step 2.
Like with any job, certain vital documents are needed to prove your identity and that you're eligible to work. If invited, you will need to submit a variety of documents that vary by age and gender/sex assigned at birth to prove things like how old you are, that you live in Philadelphia, that you are eligible to work, and that you meet program requirements such as income levels.
Your invitation email with instructions will come from WorkReadyHelp@pyninc.org. Check your email regularly and look in your spam and junk folders just in case!
You will need to return to your application to upload clear digital copies of your paperwork and vital documents. You can continue to return to your application at any time to upload your documents.
Continue scrolling for more information about the vital documents and program paperwork you will need to submit.
You will need to submit two types of things during this phase:
Vital documents prove who you are, where you live and that you can work in the United States. These documents are legal documents and are often issued by federal, state, local, and school authorities.
If you have your Social Security card, a form of photo ID that has your address, and a work permit if you are between 14-17 years-old, you have everything you need!
Don’t have those? No problem! Check out our Vital Docs list to learn what other documents are accepted:
| To verify: | ACCEPTED DOCUMENTS |
|---|---|
|
Social Security Number |
|
|
Identity and Age Who needs this? All participants |
|
|
Philadelphia Residency Who needs this? All participants |
|
|
Citizenship/Eligibility to work Who needs this? All participants |
|
These are documents that you will need to fill out, sign and upload along with your vital documents. Some documents will need to be signed by a parent or guardian if you are under 18. Documents can be printed and completed or filled out and signed electronically.
Listed below are the additional documents that need to be submitted based on your age and gender/sex assigned at birth. Make sure before submitting that you are completing the correct qualifications packet.
Note: If you were assigned male at birth and will turn 18 before August 30, 2022, please read the Selective Service information below.
Note: If you were assigned male at birth, please read the Selective Service information below.
Note: For more information about who needs to register for Selective Service Registration CLICK HERE
After you've successfully qualified, you may be invited by a WorkReady provider to participate in a program. You will then have to submit paperwork that is specific to the program and worksite you've been invited to join.
You will receive an email alert if and when you are placed in a program and worksite with the instructions for additional paperwork.
These are documents that you will need to fill out, sign and upload based on your program payment type and if your worksite requires proof of clearances and/or vaccination . Some documents will need to be signed by a parent or guardian if you are under 18. Documents can be printed and completed or filled out and signed electronically.
Listed below are the packets based on the type of experience you have been offered. Please make sure you review the information from your email closely to complete and upload the correct packet.
Once you have completed steps 1 through 3 and everything has been approved, you are ready to start your WorkReady program! Your WorkReady provider partner will share details with you about your individual experience.
This summer, all WorkReady experiences will include safe in-person participation at least 3 days per week.
If you have questions or need help getting connected to a summer job, you can contact your WorkReady program partner, check out our Program Locator, or contact the WorkReady Summer Customer Service Center:
Call using the WorkReady Hotline: 267.502.3900
The WorkReady Summer Customer Service Center is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
WorkReady is managed by the Philadelphia Youth Network.
Have feedback about your experience? Let us know!
Q:Is WorkReady virtual this summer?
A:All WorkReady experiences will include at least three (3) days a week of in-person participation. Some programs may be entirely in-person. Participation during in-person days is a requirement of the program. To keep everyone safe, we will continue to monitor all government orders and recommendations.
Q:What if I and/or my parent or guardian have concerns about in-person experiences?
A:We recognize everyone can make the best choice for themselves and/or their family related to what program is best for you. WorkReady programs will be in-person at least three (3) days per week.
Q:Is proof of vaccination required for WorkReady participation?
A:Proof of vaccination is not required to apply, however many programs and/or worksite placements may require vaccinations at their specific location. If required, participants will need to upload necessary documents to prove vaccination status.
Q:What safety measures will be in place at WorkReady programs?
A:All programs are required to adhere to all local, state, and federal guidelines regarding safety of in-person experiences.
Q:When will my experience start?
A:WorkReady summer experiences will occur between July – August. A typical program will run 6 weeks and approximately 20 hours per week, but programs vary.
Q:How will I get paid?
A:Payment will be via wages or incentives and will be dependent upon the individual WorkReady program you are connected to this summer.
