Community College of Philadelphia and The Greater Philadelphia Chamber selected for national initiative to strengthen employer partnerships and workforce pathways 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 2, 2026

Contacts: 
Community College of Philadelphia
Antwon R. Martin
armartin [at] ccp.edu (armartin[at]ccp[dot]edu)

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber 
Shannon McLaughlin 
smclaughlin [at] chamberphl.com (smclaughlin[at]chamberphl[dot]com)

PHILADELPHIA — Community College of Philadelphia and The Greater Philadelphia Chamber have been selected to participate in the Sustainable College-Employer Partnerships initiative to strengthen collaboration between community colleges and local chambers of commerce, better align education with workforce demand, expand work-based learning opportunities, and build stronger pathways to employment.

This effort is led by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national nonprofit dedicated to helping community colleges transform to promote student success and community vibrancy, in partnership with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation, and is supported by JPMorganChase.

As one of eight community college–chamber teams selected nationwide, CCP and The Greater Philadelphia Chamber will work together with participating employers over the next two and a half years to identify regional workforce needs, shape education and training strategies, and expand opportunities for students to gain work-based experience and connect with careers.

Across the cohort, the work spans six industries: aviation, defense, advanced manufacturing, business, healthcare, and cybersecurity/IT. Many of these sectors are priorities for JPMorganChase’s Security and Resiliency Initiative (SRI), a $1.5 trillion, 10-year plan to strengthen industries critical to national security and economic resilience. In addition to mobilizing capital, the initiative aims to help address the workforce shortages constraining production and innovation in key sectors.

“Our ability to collaborate is one of our greatest strengths,” said CCP President Dr. Alycia Marshall. “Community College of Philadelphia has a long history of building strong workforce partnerships that connect education to economic mobility. Through this national initiative and our partnership with The Greater Philadelphia Chamber, we can deepen those connections and create stronger pathways to life-sustaining careers. This work will also support local businesses in building the talent pipelines they need to grow and meet the evolving workforce needs of our region.”

Throughout the Sustainable College-Employer Partnerships initiative, CCP and The Greater Philadelphia Chamber will receive individualized coaching and technical assistance from ATD and the ACCE Foundation, engage in virtual and in-person peer learning opportunities, and implement strategies to strengthen long-term employer partnerships.

“Greater Philadelphia’s greatest asset is our people, and connecting them to opportunity jobs is essential to our region’s growth. By bringing employers to the table with Community College of Philadelphia, we can better align education with real workforce needs and build stronger pathways to family-sustaining careers,” said Greater Philadelphia Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Chellie Cameron.

The initiative will build on and accelerate CCP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen employer partnerships and align academic pathways with workforce needs identified by industry. This work directly supports CCP’s mission to expand access to high-quality, career-connected education and to ensure students are prepared for in-demand, family-sustaining careers.

As part of the Sustainable College-Employer Partnerships initiative, the Chamber has identified three priority employment areas that closely align with CCP’s academic and workforce offerings: Enterprise Digital Solutions, Precision Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies, and Biomedical Engineering and Production. These sectors reflect both current and projected labor market demand and represent strong opportunities for expanding pathways into high-growth, high-opportunity careers.

CCP is actively strengthening programs and partnerships within these areas to ensure students can access clear, stackable pathways from education to employment. Through deeper collaboration with employers and the Chamber, and supported by the Brookings Institution and other partners, the College is working to enhance curriculum alignment, expand work-based learning opportunities, and improve the connection between credentials and real job outcomes.

"No single organization can solve workforce challenges alone," said Lenore Rodicio, Ph.D., president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. "When community colleges, chambers of commerce, and employers work together, they can build stronger pathways from education to employment that benefit learners, businesses, and communities alike. Through our partnership with the ACCE Foundation, we look forward to supporting these relationships as they develop sustainable models that can serve as examples for colleges across the country."

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About Community College of Philadelphia  
Community College of Philadelphia is the largest public institution of higher education in the City of Philadelphia. With an open admissions policy, the College serves all who may benefit – regardless of age, income, or ability. For more than 60 years, the College has lived up to its mission and goals by providing educational access for approximately 800,000 Philadelphians, setting families, businesses and neighborhoods on the path of shared prosperity and opportunity. For information on the College's degree and certificate programs, workforce development strategies, and community engagement initiatives, visit ccp.edu and follow us on social media @CCPedu.

About The Greater Philadelphia Chamber 
The Greater Philadelphia Chamber works together with members, investors, and stakeholders, to realize our bold vision: Greater Philadelphia is a top global destination for business and a leader in inclusive growth. As the metro-regional chamber of commerce serving the 11-county, tri-state Greater Philadelphia region, we are the premier organization to convene and connect business, government and civic leaders to drive economic growth and prosperity for all.

About Achieving the Dream 
Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country. Drawing on expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, the organization provides institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. ATD calls this Whole College Transformation. Its vision is for every college to be a catalyst for economically vibrant communities. ATD knows that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-