Talent

Our region’s talent is one of Greater Philadelphia’s key competitive advantages
#TalentPHL

Through our Talent work, the Chamber serves as a convener by providing timely and relevant labor market information, launching a multi-organizational talent referral network, holding employer gatherings focused on inclusive talent solutions, launching marketing campaigns concentrated on attracting key talent profiles, and retaining and developing the careers of our region’s young professionals. 

Our region’s talent is one of its greatest assets and opportunities. At the Chamber, we seek to build bridges between industry and the organizations that prepare and train our current and future workforce. Through a series of services, partnerships, and engagement opportunities, the Chamber provides connection points that proactively advance Greater Philadelphia’s talent pool for the high-quality jobs of today and tomorrow. 

 

QUICK LINKS

The Greater Philadelphia Talent Referral Network

The Chamber operates the Greater Philadelphia Talent Network to better connect the region’s talent ecosystem and provide responsive talent solutions for our members. It is comprised of workforce development non-profits, community colleges, and four-year institutions of higher learning. It operates in partnership with Philadelphia Works, the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department, and Campus Philly. The Network is a multi-faceted referral system that allows employers to connect with vetted, engaged training or placement partners within the region.  

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Greater Philadelphia Talent Network
Greater Philadelphia Talent Network
Greater Philadelphia Talent Network

Inclusive Solutions Series

The Chamber has a number of resources available to Chamber members interested in learning more about apprenticeships, and we look forward to expanding our scope to present solutions focused on youth employment, quality jobs, and fair chance hiring.

The Chamber provides opportunities for employers to explore a diverse set of inclusive talent solutions to impact their business. Through a series of gatherings, programs, and resource guides, members can learn how to implement apprenticeships to meet their hiring needs.  

Apprenticeships are “earn-and-learn” programs that combine formal learning with on-the-job training experiences. They provide a worker with the training and mentorship needed to develop proficiency in targeted business and technology areas, as well as soft skills to augment the individual’s performance and ready them for success. Apprenticeships can vary in length and focus depending on the nature of the business and the requirements of the roles, and should be targeted to the specific needs and requirements of the role. 

Apprenticeships are a proven strategy to help address the skills gap facing most organizations. They also present companies with a unique opportunity to address the talent needs in their organizations using highly diverse, nontraditional sources. 

Employers can connect with vetted, engaged training or placement partners within the region through the Chamber’s Greater Philadelphia Talent Network, our multi-faceted referral system. The Network includes workforce development non-profits, community colleges, and 4-year institutions of higher learning. After a brief intake process, the Chamber can quickly connect you with a Network member who can help you design an apprenticeship program for your organization.  

The Chamber is pleased to offer our members the opportunity to explore apprenticeship as a solution through its involvement in two regional collaboratives:  

ApprenticeshipPHL
Operated by Philadelphia Works, ApprenticeshipPHL (APHL) is a public/private collaborative of cross-sector stakeholders advancing apprenticeship as a powerful engine for regional prosperity in Southeastern Pennsylvania. APHL builds more equitable and inclusive apprenticeship models that open doors to career pathways for underrepresented populations.

The Chamber hosts Apprenticeship Accelerators in collaboration with our partners at APHL throughout the year. Employers can learn about apprenticeship program design, funding, and more from subject-matter experts and industry peers. Visit the Chamber’s calendar to view upcoming Apprenticeship Accelerators.

The Philadelphia Apprentice Network
Started by Aon and Accenture in 2021, the Philadelphia Apprentice Network (PAN) is modeled after their Chicago Apprenticeship Network, which seeks to convene local employers to share ideas on apprenticeship programs with their peers in business, education, and government.

For more information, contact talent@chamberphl.com.

Professional Development

The Chamber offers professional and leadership development programs for individuals in all phases of their careers.

The CEO Access Network matches established C-suite executives from Chamber member companies with small business owners from underrepresented populations. Partners share advice and counsel, as well as networking and business development opportunities. Executives are encouraged to introduce diverse partners to new business and social networks. Participants meet collectively in person three times during the program year (October – June) but are encouraged to connect outside of the program framework.

Applicants must belong to a population underrepresented in Greater Philadelphia’s business community, own an existing for-profit business with at least three years of sales history, demonstrate at least $500,000 in annual sales, have at least two full-time employees, and be located within the 11-county Greater Philadelphia region. This program is free to join. Learn more. 

The Philadelphia Works’ Career Connections program pairs career changers and those seeking access to opportunities with working professionals invested in building talent in their communities. According to Jobs for the Future, social capital is a proven accelerant to learner and worker success, and many BIPOC learners and workers lack the professional social capital available to their white counterparts. There is a need for informal, authentic relationship building between those seeking access and those who wish to provide it.

Pairs participate in a largely autonomous mentorship experience, with some activities and check-ins administered by program staff. They are encouraged to set and pursue their own goals, share support and advice, and open their professional networks to one another. Partners should meet at least three times throughout the three-month period, but are encouraged to continue to develop their professional relationships beyond the program timeframe. This program is free for all participants. Learn more and apply.

The Young Professionals Council (YPC) is a diverse network of young people focused on developing leadership skills, fostering professional growth, and expanding their network. YPC seeks to cultivate the next generation of leaders through professional development, service, and networking opportunities.   

 YPC hosts numerous in-person and virtual events throughout the year and regularly invites members to participate in Chamber-wide programming. This network is open to both Chamber members and non-members.  

Chamber member organizations may sponsor employees who wish to participate. Membership to YPC is $100/year per person for Chamber members and $150/year per person for non-members. Learn more.

Priority Areas

The Chamber is committed to engaging and retaining the rich base of early career professionals in our region while simultaneously working to attract new talent to meet targeted industry needs with a focus on:

Attraction

Attraction

Convening core talent attraction and retention leaders to build a brand and strategy for attracting workers to our region.

Engagement

Engagement

Launching our first talent attraction marketing campaign focused on key technology and life sciences talent profiles.

Retention

Continuing to grow the Young Professionals Council (YPC), which seeks to connect ambitious, visionary young people with a robust and diverse network of peers, mentors, and regional business and civic leaders. With over 1,500 young leaders working in a variety of industries and environments throughout Greater Philadelphia, YPC is the resource for young professionals in our region to make meaningful connections.

Research, Resources, and Publications

Campus Philly: Hiring & Retaining International Student Talent Report

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Employer Toolkit: Hiring & Retaining International Student Talent

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Hiring International Talent Employer Guide

Hiring International Talent, Employer Guide

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Young Professionals Council Engagement Report FY24

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Job Posting Analytics

Job Posting Analytics for the Greater Philadelphia Region (December 2023)

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Philadelphia Momentum

Philadelphia Momentum: Leveraging College Graduate Retention for Continued Growth in Greater Philadelphia (co-published with Campus Philly)

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Leveraging College Graduate Retention

“Leveraging College Graduate Retention for Continued Growth in Greater Philadelphia” One Page Summary (co-published with Campus Philly)

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YPC FY23 Engagement Report

Young Professionals Council FY23 Engagement Report

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The State of Cell and Gene Therapy

The State of Cell and Gene Therapy in the Greater Philadelphia Region: A Comparative Analysis (with the CEO Council for Growth)

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Internship in a Box

Internship in a Box (co-published with Campus Philly)

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News & Perspectives

YPC Kicks Off the Year with a Networking Reception at Gather Food Hall

August 21st, 2026|Comments Off on YPC Kicks Off the Year with a Networking Reception at Gather Food Hall

The Young Professionals Council brought together over 130 young professionals from across Greater Philadelphia last Wednesday for a networking reception at Gather Food Hall & Bar. It was the first YPC event of the fiscal year, and a first chance for members to meet incoming Chair Rachel Kurlander and […]

The Art of Attraction: How Art Brings Talent to Greater Philadelphia

April 24th, 2026|Comments Off on The Art of Attraction: How Art Brings Talent to Greater Philadelphia

The Chamber is proud to release a new Fair Chance Hiring Policy Memo, a set of practical, employer-informed recommendations to help Philadelphia strengthen and scale fair chance hiring implementation across the city.

Connecting Philadelphia’s Youth to Career Pathways: Inside C2L-PHL

April 23rd, 2026|Comments Off on Connecting Philadelphia’s Youth to Career Pathways: Inside C2L-PHL

The Chamber is proud to release a new Fair Chance Hiring Policy Memo, a set of practical, employer-informed recommendations to help Philadelphia strengthen and scale fair chance hiring implementation across the city.

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