Congratulating the School District of Philadelphia, the developer of the Bellwether District HRP Group, ARCO Design-Build, Clayco Corporation and the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), for their collaboration to fund driver education courses for School District Career and Technical Education Students.

WHEREAS, The School District of Philadelphia offers Career and Technical Education (CTE) to prepare students for careers in fields that include construction, manufacturing and design; and

WHEREAS, CTE programs help bridge the transition between school and employment by providing hands-on training, developing soft skills, and allowing students to earn industry credentials, certifications and college credits so they can continue toward a certification or college degree; and

WHEREAS, CTE programs are vital to providing young people with essential work experience and a path to a family-sustaining career; and

WHEREAS, The School District of Philadelphia requires financial assistance to expand their offerings to include diver’s education for students participating in building and construction trade CTE programs; and

WHEREAS, CTE construction-trade students need driver’s licenses to qualify for opportunities such as equipment operator, field technician, and apprenticeships in the building trades; and

WHEREAS, A driver’s license is essential for students to enter transportation-based careers that offer a living wage; and

WHEREAS, The School District of Philadelphia, the HRP Group and its partners, have collaborated to provide driver’s education courses and funding for junior driver’s permits thereby reducing barriers for over 200 graduating students entering careers in construction, manufacturing or design; and

WHEREAS, Funding will ensure that CTE programs align with workforce entry requirements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby

congratulates the School District of Philadelphia and HRP Group and its partners, on their collaboration to provide driver education courses and junior driver permits to CTE students

, and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The School District of Philadelphia Career and Technical Education Program, HRP Group, ARCO Design-Build, Clayco, and the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA)

,

as evidence of the sincere appreciation and gratitude of this legislative body.

End