CVS Health Teams Up with Philadelphia Job Corps, Philadelphia Works and Philadelphia Youth Network to Open New Mock Pharmacy for Aspiring Pharmacy Technicians

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Nov 15, 2018, 08:00 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In its continuing commitment to expand work-based learning and externship opportunities for students, CVS Health has announced a new collaboration with Philadelphia Job Corps, Philadelphia Works and Philadelphia Youth Network to deliver a pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship program for pharmacy technicians in the greater Philadelphia area.

Students receive hands-on experience at new mock pharmacy in Philadelphia, which opened this week in partnership with CVS Health, Philadelphia Job Corps, Philadelphia Works and Philadelphia Youth Network.

"As the skills gap in the U.S. widens, CVS Health recognizes the important role externships, which offer on-the-job training with classroom instruction, play in building a pipeline of future skilled talent," said David Casey, Vice President, Workforce Strategies, and Chief Diversity Officer. "By working with these important Philadelphia youth organizations, we are able to provide traditionally underserved groups with opportunities for employment at CVS Pharmacy, as well as help build a talented and diverse workforce for our company."

Through the new initiative, Philadelphia Job Corps will recruit and screen students interested in the pharmacy technician pre-apprenticeship program. The mock pharmacy, which includes valuable classroom, hands-on and field-based clinical instruction, will give trainees an opportunity to gain life and career skills over a 12-week period.

"We are so excited to see the opportunities provided through the partnership with CVS Health grow, which will allow more students in Philadelphia to receive the engaged training and employment they need to start a meaningful career," said Matthew Waltman, Center Director, Philadelphia Job Corps. "With partners like CVS Health, Philadelphia Youth Network and Philadelphia Works, we're able to address the skills gap and reduce poverty in the city of Philadelphia. Our students are so grateful for the opportunities to learn and be supported as they take their skills to the next level."

Upon completion of the training, eligible students have the opportunity to work in a paid externship at a local CVS Pharmacy, as part of a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and managed by Philadelphia Works. Students then receive a certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), and are able to apply for a position with CVS Pharmacy through a virtual job tryout.

"Real-life work experience is a pinnacle feature of any successful job training program," said Mark Genua, Apprenticeship Program Director, Philadelphia Works. "Our work to expand the apprenticeship model into new and innovative industries is opening doors of opportunity for young people across the region. We applaud CVS Health on the opening of its new mock pharmacy and look forward to continuing this important partnership for job creation."

"I am excited about this new opportunity for our young people in Philadelphia," said Chekemma Fulmore-Townsend, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Youth Network. "We are proud to partner with CVS Health, Job Corps and Philadelphia Works in this endeavor, as we continue creating high quality career pathways to meet the interest of both our young talent and also our local economy."

The opening of the new mock pharmacy in Philadelphia is an expansion of a longstanding partnership between CVS Health and Job Corps. Over the past two decades, the two organizations have worked together on several workforce initiatives that have helped fill entry level roles with strong talent, with many individuals advancing to pharmacist and management positions within the company.

The relationship with Job Corps is part of the myCVS Journey Pathways to Health Care Careers that introduces students of all ages to career opportunities in health care. The STEM-enriched program is designed to engage young people (aged 5-24) in age-appropriate awareness, exploration, and preparation for careers at CVS Health in pharmacy, professional management, nursing and information technology.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,800 retail locations, approximately 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 93 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

About Philadelphia Job Corps Life Science Institute

The Philadelphia Job Corps Life Science Institute is a federally funded education and career training program, administered by the U.S Department of Labor, for youth ages 17 through 24 years old to improve their lives through career technical and academic training.

At the Philadelphia Job Corps Life Science Institute, we support the Job Corps program's mission of teaching eligible youth the skills they need to become employable and independent by placing them in meaningful careers, advanced education, or the military. At the Philadelphia Job Corps Life Science Institute, technical training is offered in the following programs: Medical Assistant, Culinary Arts, Emergency Medical Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Facilities Maintenance and Nursing Assistant.

For more information on how to enroll in Job Corps, visit https://philadelphia.jobcorps.gov/ or call (267) 386-2922 or attend an Information Session every Monday at 3:45 pm.

About Philadelphia Works

Philadelphia Works is the city's Workforce Development Board, investing in solutions and services to grow Philadelphia's economy by connecting employers to workforce talent and career seekers to jobs. We influence the public policies that support economic growth, and optimize funding and resources to invest in regional solutions to build a skilled and thriving workforce. For more information about our dedicated board members and staff, workforce research, labor market data, services and initiatives, and to view success stories, please visit http://www.philaworks.org.

About the Philadelphia Youth Network

The Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) is a solutions-builder forging together significant players to alleviate a root cause of poverty by preparing 12-24-year-olds to become productive working adults. Our work is grounded in the understanding that young people need access to both education and employment, proven factors in being prepared for a career. With a track record of increasing impact, PYN funds and brokers action with the right partners to collectively address barriers. PYN constructs systems to create change, while innovating to meet evolving needs. Together with our partners, PYN dramatically changes the trajectory of individuals' lives by giving voice to underserved youth, and ultimately creating a pipeline for an educated, engaged workforce. For more information, visit www.pyninc.org.

Contact:

Mary Gattuso
401-770-9811
[email protected]

SOURCE CVS Health