WorkReady is a program in July-August providing paid work experiences for youth living in Philadelphia. Work experiences take place 5 days/week at a designated worksite. WorkReady is for young people looking to explore different career paths, get paid while learning valuable skills, and prepare for their future!
Participants in WorkReady Summer programs can earn up to $1,000+* while participating in WorkReady. 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 out a total amount 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 money hourly in wage-based programs and usually work about 20 hours per week.
WorkReady experiences are safe, in-person experiences, with most or all programming taking place 5 days/week at a designated worksite.
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. Check our Program Locator for more information about eligibility, payment types, in-person expectations and vaccination requirements for each individual program.
Participants in WorkReady have THREE options for getting paid this year! You can choose your preferred payment method once you've been given a job offer.
If you participated in WorkReady Summer (or any other PYN program) in 2022 and got paid, you already have an account in our application system under the email you used to apply in 2022.
To submit an application for 2023, check the inbox of your email that you used to apply in 2022. PYN will be sending out instructions to get your login to all previous participants.
If you have not received an email, can't access your old email, or you're having additional trouble, contact your provider or contact the WorkReady Hotline by emailing workreadyhelp@pyninc.org or calling 267.502.3900. They will be able to help you get your login info.
Once you receive your login, watch our Returning Participant How-To video below to see how your application process will be different from new applicants.
Check out our How-To video for new applicants that will walk you through filling out your profile and application!
For any job (not just WorkReady), you must provide vital documents to prove you are eligible to work. Before getting started, check to see what documents you have already or identify what you will need to locate. Your primary guardian or someone in your family may have them, or you may need to visit local offices to obtain new copies.
Valid Photo ID
Work Permit
What areas are you interested in working in? Performing arts, technology, athletics? WorkReady has 90+ provider partners aiming to provide work experiences focusing on a number of different topics. Before you begin, look through the Program Locator tool and decide which program(s) would be a good fit for you.
This is important and will make it easier for us to connect you with a summer job experience you will enjoy and find valuable! Failing to identify a preferred program provider in your application will limit your chances of getting an opportunity and exploring careers you're interested in!
*Note: You will need an email address to apply for WorkReady. You can create a free email account using Google, Outlook or Yahoo.
To apply to WorkReady, visit the link below and select the application within your age range. You will then be asked to create a login - use the email where you'd like to receive all WorkReady-related information. Remember your email and password - you will need log back in to continue the application process!
Once you've created an account, you will need to complete your applicant profile. This is where you'll share information such as your name, age, address, and areas of interest (technology, athletics, arts, etc). This will help us determine which programs you're eligible for and which programs are a good fit for you.
When you have completed your applicant profile, click the drop down in the top left, click My Jobs Portal > Find Jobs and select your age range to complete your application.
Your application is where you will enter the program code(s) for specific program(s) you'd like to participate in. To learn about different WorkReady programs and locate program codes, use the Program Locator tool.
Contact the WorkReady Hotline by emailing workreadyhelp@pyninc.org or calling 267.502.3900 if you need help completing your application.
Once you've set up your profile and submitted your application, your chosen program provider will reach out to you through email with next steps. Check back regularly!
If you apply without a program code, it may take longer to hear back from a provider and it is not guaranteed that a provider will reach out. We highly recommend identifying a preferred program in your application.
If you do not receive an email after ~1 month, contact your provider or the WorkReady Hotline.
If you are invited by a provider to participate in a WorkReady program, your provider will let you know in your application portal which documents and paperwork you'll need to upload/complete to be eligible to work. This step is important - if all required documents are not uploaded and approved, you will not be able to work or get paid!
Login to the application portal and you will have a checklist of documents and paperwork that needs to be submitted.
All participants must submit documents to confirm their identity and age, their Social Security number, their Philadelphia residency, and their employment eligibility.
For example, a 14-year old participant might submit a photo/copy of their Social Security card, a photo/copy of a photo ID that lists their address, and a work permit (which is required for all young workers ages 14-17).
*Some programs/worksites may require additional documents such as proof of COVID-19 vaccination or certain background clearances.
Below is a list of all eligible documents to verify identity & age, Social Security number, Philadelphia residency and eligibility to work. Click on the links below to learn how to acquire these documents if you don't have them.
Some documents cost a fee to receive a copy - if you need financial assistance getting copies of your vital docs, contact the WorkReady Hotline by emailing workreadyhelp@pyninc.org or calling 267.502.3900.
| To verify: | ACCEPTED DOCUMENTS |
|---|---|
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Social Security Number |
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Identity and Age Who needs this? All participants |
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Philadelphia Residency Who needs this? All participants |
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Citizenship/Eligibility to work Who needs this? All participants |
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You will receive email notifications from your provider to let you know if your documents have been approved or if something is missing/incomplete. Double-check with your provider to confirm that all documents were approved and that you've completed all the required steps to participate.
Remember to continue to check your email regularly - your provider will share more details about when and where you will be working this July/August.
If you have questions or need help getting connected to a summer job, you can contact your WorkReady program provider, check out our Program Locator, or contact the WorkReady Hotline:
Call using the WorkReady Hotline: 267.502.3900
The WorkReady Hotline is available Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
WorkReady is managed by the Philadelphia Youth Network.
Have feedback about your experience? Let us know!
Q:How will I get paid and what is "direct deposit"?
A:Payment will be via wages or incentives and will be dependent upon the individual WorkReady program you are connected to this summer.
Most young people will submit timesheets for hours worked, and receive payments every other week (biweekly).
There are multiple different ways to get paid through WorkReady. Once your application is confirmed, you will be able to choose whether you want to receive your payment via Direct Deposit, Payroll Visa Debit Card, or Check.
- Direct Deposit - This is the fastest and most effective way to get paid! Sign up using your personal bank account to have the funds deposited directly into your account at midnight on payday. Learn more about direct deposit and setting up a personal bank account.
- Payroll Debit Card - With this method, you will receive a reloadable debit card in the mail which will be loaded with your funds on each pay date.
- Paper Check - With this method, you will be sent a paper check through the mail on each pay date. Checks can take up to 2 weeks to be processed, printed and sent out through the mail.
Make sure your address is correct if you are choosing to be paid by debit card or check!
Q:Can I use a parent/guardian's bank account to receive my payments?
A:All WorkReady payments are submitted in the name of the participant, not the parent/guardian. Participants may use a personal bank account or a joint bank account that is shared with a parent/guardian, but the participant's name must be on the account. Applying for direct deposit with an account that is not under the participant's name will result in delayed payments while the issue is resolved.
It's easy to set up a bank account - PYN has a number of banking partners that make it easy for young people to set up their own bank accounts. Learn more about setting up a youth bank account.
Q:What do I do if I haven't received my paycheck yet?
A:
- If you are receiving payments by check, you will likely not receive it in the mail until after payday. Please allow up to 2 weeks for checks to be processed and received through this payment method.
- Double check that you have submitted all the documents you are responsible for - including employment verification documents, corrected time sheets, etc.
- Talk to your provider! They will be able to give you the most up-to date information on your payment schedule and any outstanding documents you may need to review.
- Contact the WorkReady Hotline by emailing WorkReadyHelp@pyninc.org or calling 267.502.3900, available Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm.
- Be vigilant - it is up to you to make sure you have all the materials you need to receive your payment. Make sure you have submitted all materials you are responsible for.
Q:What is the difference between a "provider" and a "worksite"?
A:Program "providers" are the summer camps, afterschool programs, community organizations, rec centers, etc. that host WorkReady programs. Providers work with different physical "worksites" (sometime at the provider's location) to place youth in hands-on job experiences. Questions regarding your payments, enrollment status, and vital documents should always go through your program "provider".
Q:I can't find my Social Security card or ID. What other documents are accepted?
A:Check out Step 4 of the "How to Get WorkReady" section above for a breakdown of all valid documents for verifying Social Security number, identity, age, Philadelphia residency, and more.
Q:I don't have an email address. How do I set one up?
A:Check out this video with steps to help you prepare to get WorkReady!
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:What if I wasn’t selected for a WorkReady program?
A:Due to limited spots, placement in a WorkReady program is not guaranteed.
There are a variety of other summer work experience options available in the city of Philadelphia. We recommend exploring the City of Philadelphia’s #PlayItSafePHL offerings. Check out this website to see what summer programs are available near you.
Q:What are my rights as a participant in the WorkReady program?
A:Please review the participant handbook for details regarding your participation in WorkReady. The handbook outlines policies and processes to submit grievances or report issues at your worksite. You can also find resources via the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Youth@Work website.
