Who We Are

Company Overview

The Transitional Work Corporation (TWC) is a nonprofit organization located in Center City Philadelphia that provides job training and placement services to entry-level workers. TWC provides clients with the experience, skills, and know-how they need to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. TWC then works with employers in the Greater Philadelphia area to fill their staffing needs. In preparing individuals for work, TWC provides a valuable service to employers – a workforce that is trained and professional.

HISTORY

When welfare reform became law in 1996, a clock began ticking for every public assistance family in America. Especially hard hit were urban centers such as Philadelphia, home to 50 percent of Pennsylvania's welfare caseload.
Some adults moved into the workforce with relative ease, but others found their job searches complicated by barriers such as limited education and substance abuse. Agencies and policymakers sought solutions that met the requirements of local employers and served the needs of the people struggling to move to welfare. TWC came into being to meet the needs of employers and these new job seekers. It was sparked by an idea from Public/Private Ventures (P/PV), a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the effectiveness of social policies. TWC's signature program, Philadelphia@Work, was founded on the "transitional work" model and was the result of collaboration among P/PV, the City of Philadelphia, and the Commonwealth od Pennsylvania. The support of these three key players, as well as The Pew Charitable Trusts, has enabled TWC to grow and succeed.	Since its founding in 1998, TWC has guided thousands of low-income adults toward self-sufficiency and provided businesses with reliable, entry-level employees. TWC works with those who have received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for at least 24 months and has played a critical role in nearly cutting in half the number of Philadelphians receiving such funds. Based on transitional employment, skills and vocational training, committed staff, and essential support services, the TWC model had worked for Philadelphia. It is the country's largest urban transitional jobs program and has won national recognition as a leader in its field.
TWC was a founding member of the National Transitional Jobs Network (NTJN) which was formed in 2000 to support peer networking, technical assistance and policy advocacy. NTJN is a coalition of more than 200 Transitional Jobs (TJ) programs, policy organizations, and sponsoring organizations. The Network fosters economic opportunity for America's workers by developing new TJ programs, building the capacity of existing TJ programs, and promoting a national dialogue on job advancement strategies. For more information, visit the Network’s website at www.transitionaljobs.net.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Transitional Work Corporation (TWC) is to serve people seeking self-sufficiency utilizing the transitional jobs model to provide opportunities and support leading to more competitive employment. TWC will build mutually beneficial partnerships with employers to create a high quality workforce.