The Philadelphia School District faces a critical intersection of poverty, crime, and lack of employment. Youth in the district aged 15-18 years-old are disproportionately affected by community violence, systemic barriers to education, and limited career opportunities. These challenges present an urgent and critical need for technical training to develop the skills required for sustainable employment. The proposed Skilled Technical And Rehabilitation Training (START) Program plans to meet this need by empowering young people with education and trade skills to begin a successful career.
About Us
About START Program
Empowering Youth Through Education and Skill Development
The START Program is a professional training program that provides education and workforce training to court-involved youth that have been directly impacted by community violence. The Program, held at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC) and Philadelphia Technician Training Institute’s (PTTI) Girard Avenue location, seeks to provide opportunities for participants to pursue an education and career in the trade of their choice as a means for overcoming substantial social and economic barriers.
Philadelphia faces significant challenges in providing equitable access to CS and STEM CTE programs, especially for underserved youth. This population, including low-income students, students of color, and students with disabilities, has limited access to high-quality technical education, which directly affects their employment prospects and participation in high-demand industries. Without targeted intervention, these barriers perpetuate a cycle of poverty and unemployment, with long-term social and economic implications for the region. The START Program addresses this gap by offering tailored education and training solutions that focus on workforce readiness and empowerment.
Our Mission
To break the cycle of poverty and unemployment by providing equitable access to technical education and career training for underserved youth in Philadelphia.
