Workforce Academy (Public High School)

Workforce Academy

Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center Workforce Academy (OICWA) is a tuition-free, accelerated public high school.  OICWA is a college and career readiness program. At Philadelphia OICWA young adults do not have to choose between going to college or into the workforce, we prepare them for both.

Philadelphia OICWA serves students, in grades 9th -12th, ages 16 to 21 who are over-aged and under-credited, seeking to earn a high school diploma and gain employable work skills.  We assist students with individualized post-secondary planning and job placement in the student’s chosen field.

Philadelphia OICWA offers skill development in several of Philadelphia’s premier industries, including, financial services, environmental services, culinary arts, hospitality & tourism, and videography.

ALL OICWA graduates will graduate with a Pennsylvania high school diploma AND one of the following:

• American Hotel and Lodging    
• Educational Institute certificate
• SERV Safe certificate
• Bank Work$ certificate of  completion
• Videography certificate of  completion

OICWA provides young adults with:

• Flexible Scheduling
• Re-entry support services
• Free transportation for students ages 16 -20
• Job readiness skills and job placement assistance
• Internships and externships
• College selection and admission support
• SAT/ACT preparation
• Mentorship
• Additional resources include housing support, financial management, wellness, and parenting skills.

For additional information, please contact OICWA at requestphilaoicwfa@philaoic.org or call 215-236-7700.

EITC Funding & Philadelphia OIC

Philadelphia OIC Workforce Academy participates in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. 

This program provides tax credits to eligible Pennsylvania businesses that make a financial aid gift to Philadelphia OIC Workforce Academy equal to 75% of its contribution, up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year.

Tax credits can be increased to 90 percent of the contribution, if business agrees to provide same amount for two consecutive tax years. 

Eligibility

Businesses authorized to do business in Pennsylvania who are subject to one or more of the following taxes:

• Corporate Net Income Tax
• Capital Stock Franchise Tax
• Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax
• Title Insurance Companies Shares Tax
• Insurance Premiums Tax
• Mutual Thrift Institution Tax
• Insurance Company Law of 1921
• Personal Income Tax of S corporation shareholders or Partnership Partners
• How does my business participate?
• Pennsylvania businesses can apply for tax credit programs through DCED's electronic single application system at esa.dced.state.pa.us. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis and approved until the available tax credits are exhausted.

An approved company must provide proof to DCED within 90 days of the notification letter that the contribution was made within 60 days of the notification letter. Tax credits not used in the tax year the contribution was made may not be carried forward or carried back and are not refundable or transferable, except for an approved election by a pass-through entity to apply any unused tax credits to the tax liability of the owners in the taxable year immediately following the year in which the contribution is made.