OPPORTUNITIES INN -- The Hospitality Training Institute

This training program provides a skilled workforce for the Delaware Valley's expanding hospitality industry. Beginning with its inception in 1989, students have been trained in Front Office, Travel Tourism, Guest Services, and Culinary Arts. Oppourtunities Inn has received both regional and national acclaim for its innovative training approach. [Learn more...]

Funded by: PA Convention Center Authority

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES CENTER (LOC)
The LOC uses an individualized, computer assisted, self-paced, open entry/exit instructional system to provide Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Diploma (GED) test preparation and prevocational training information. On July 1, 2005, Philadelphia OIC began a new initiative within the LOC department. The LOC will provide intensive adult basic education and GED preparation services to TANF recipients.

The Move Up program is designed to prepare clients for Basic Employment Skills, Basic Workplace Skills, Basic Workplace Knowledge, and Basic Life Skills training.

Funded by: PA Department of Education

Move Up
Move Up is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare and the Pennsylvania Department of Education designed to help eligible TANF clients receive the basic education they need to pass the GED test and become proficient in the English language. Project Move Up uses a content-specific curriculum in fast-track GED and ESL to teach the skills learners need to get and keep a job.

Funded by:Pa Department of Welfare and Pa Department of Education

AVRP - Adolescent Violence Reduction Partnership

OIC Recruitment Center under contract with Philadelphia Safe and Sound, through the auspices of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, OIC will operate a recruitment center. The goal is to recruit, screen and qualify “youth workers” who will provide intensive services to youth in the community to stem the tide of youth violence.

OIC FUTURES
A state licensed social/vocational rehabilitation program that provides training in building maintenance, building services and clerical services to individuals who have mental health disorders and are receiving outpatient services in a local community health center.

Funded by: Office of MH/MR Services

Keys To Success

The Philadelphia Region is experiencing a shortage of skilled labor in the manufacturing industry and a severe decline in the number of students going into the engineering fields. This crisis is exacerbated by the under-representation of students of color who are preparing to study applied engineering and technology at the college level.  DVIRC and Philadelphia OIC shall address this problem through an education and training initiative targeted at high school students and adults.  The project, Keys to Success in Manufacturing & College Careers, will serve as pilot program to provide educational and employment opportunities to participating students through a higher learning curriculum—consisting of science, engineering, and math studies—employment skills and development; and finally, soft skills training as preparation for employment.

TWENTY FIRST CENTURY– Community Learning Center
A collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia that provides after school supplemental supportive services to youth in elementary school. The center's activities concentrate on counteracting factors that cause school failure and poor performance including poor attendance/truancy, lack of school connection, lack of basic skills, substance use and exposure, low parental involvement and absence of long-term goals.

Funded by: Philadelphia Safe and Sound 21st Century Grant

Evening Hospitality Training
In Partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and Tenant Support Services, Inc (TSSI), OIC is duplicating its hospitality training model for current residents of PHA. The primary objective is to prepare individuals for careers in the industry towards accruing the necessary resources to purchase their own homes.

Funded by: Philadelphia Housing Authority

SMARTFORCE e-LEARNING
A computer-based training program that offers a self-paced “distance learning process” that includes over 2,000 courses relating to professional development,certifications, technical and interpersonal skills required in today’s workplace.

Funded by: Smart Force e-Learning Foundation

Prosperity Project

Sponsored by Senators Specter and Santorum, OIC has been awarded an "Earmark Grant" by the Department of Labor to replicate its highly successful Hospitality Training Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, Jacksonville, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana. This initiative is reflective of the kind of exemplary programming occurring in Philadelphia and within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that other municipalities want to replicate towards effective manpower development.

Funded by: U.S. Department of Labor