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INTRODUCED BY: Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for Council President Johnson
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold
hearings to assess the City of Philadelphia’s workforce development efforts and existing
barriers to employment, and to evaluate job creation and workforce development as strategies
to eliminate poverty for Philadelphians.
WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s strength as a city is rooted in its people, and the City’s economic
future depends on whether all residents have a fair opportunity to access employment that
provides stability, dignity, and pathways to advancement; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s local economy supported an estimated 791,400 jobs as of
December 2024, reflecting growth of nearly 19,000 jobs over the prior year, with education and
health services and leisure and hospitality experiencing the largest sector gains, sectors that are
critical to both entry-level employment and long-term career pathways; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s unemployment rate stood at 4.5% in 2024 and remained below 5%
for the second consecutive year, signaling continued recovery and labor-market strength; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s median household income increased to $60,302 in 2023,
demonstrating modest economic progress, yet remains significantly below the national median
household income of $77,719, underscoring persistent income gaps and the ongoing need to
connect residents to quality jobs that offer living wages, benefits, and opportunities for
advancement; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia remains a city driven by small businesses, which account for more
than 92% of all firms in the region, making access to a reliable, prepared workforce essential
not only to individual business success but also to the City’s overall economic competitiveness
and neighborhood vitality; and
WHEREAS, Reports on economic stability and mobility indicate that many Philadelphia
residents are primarily focused on achieving basic financial stability, such as meeting housing,
food, healthcare, and utility costs, before they are able to pursue opportunities for upward
economic mobility, and that even individuals working multiple jobs often struggle to
consistently cover everyday expenses; and
WHEREAS, Many Philadelphians face persistent barriers that limit workforce entry,
attachment, and retention, including caregiving responsibilities, the rising cost and reliability of
transportation, clearance and background screening requirements, health-related constraints,
and training and credential pathways that are not sufficiently aligned with available jobs; and
WHEREAS, Additional reporting finds that income volatility remains a significant challenge,
with only approximately one-quarter of surveyed workers reporting that they earned the same
amount over a six-month period, highlighting the prevalence of unstable hours, contingent
work, and unpredictable earnings that undermine household financial security
