Community College of Philadelphia offers short-term training pathways for students pursuing careers in health care, manufacturing and skilled trades, helping students quickly prepare for the workforce while providing organizations with skilled and qualified candidates in essential areas. CCP recently expanded its training initiatives by launching the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME) program, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, building a skilled pipeline to open positions and advancement within the city’s offices.

Karen Abney was part of the first cohort of students to complete the Office Administration CCME program. She finished in December 2024 and is now applying to executive administration positions in the City of Philadelphia government offices and with the city’s Hearing Officer program.

Karen started this program because she had previously worked for the city and wanted to get back into a role there. “I think the CCME program as a whole was very interesting and important,” Karen said. “I like the way the curriculum was set out, because they gave you English, you had math, you also had to write essays, so you had to put your writing skills to play.” Karen said they even learned how to use Microsoft Copilot to work more efficiently and to help with research tasks, which she said she found very informative.

Like with many of CCP’s workforce development programs, the CCME program allows students to transition into college credit pathways, saving them time and money as they stack credentials toward a certificate and then an associate degree. Aleena Chandy, who is in the second half of her IT pathway with CCME, hopes to secure a job with the city, eventually earn her associate degree from CCP and a bachelor’s degree after that. "I really want to have a degree,” Aleena said. “So, I would like to continue my education with the community college and get my associate here while working with the city as an IT support technician.”

CCP’s CCME program aims to give students the opportunity to pursue dependable jobs in municipal government with good salaries, great benefits, and pathways for growth and career advancement. This program is free of cost for students, and they are also eligible to earn financial achievement incentives throughout their preferred career training pathway. The pathways offered through the CCME program are Computer Support Specialist, Office Administration, Transportation Technology, Patient Service Representative and Public Safety.

Through all of their workforce programs, CCP strives to meet student needs and prepare them for in-demand roles throughout our region.