PHILADELPHIA, PA — From hospitals and manufacturers to breweries and community nonprofits, a cross-section of Philadelphia employers is being held up as a model for how cities can rebuild opportunity from the workplace up.
The City of Philadelphia announced the recipients of its 2026 Employer of Choice Awards, recognizing 15 organizations for recruitment, retention, and promotion practices designed to close the skills gap and expand economic mobility for local workers. The awards are led by the City’s City College for Municipal Employment and Workforce Solutions team, in partnership with the Workforce Professional Alliance.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said the initiative reflects a broader strategy to align workforce development with long-term economic growth. She said the city is prioritizing employers that invest in people, create clear career pathways, and help Philadelphians gain skills that translate into stable, meaningful work.
The awards are tied closely to the City College for Municipal Employment, a free, locally driven education and training model launched by the Parker administration to serve both city employees and residents seeking entry points into public and private sector careers.
City workforce leaders said the Employer of Choice designation goes beyond recognition. Awardees gain access to tailored business services, peer learning opportunities, and collaboration across the city’s workforce ecosystem, creating a feedback loop between employers, educators, and job seekers.
Carol de Fries, executive director of Municipal College and Workforce Programming, said Philadelphia’s economic future depends on a workforce that reflects the city itself and has access to advancement. She said honoring employers who invest in training and promotion helps raise standards across industries.
The 2026 Employer of Choice awardees are:
- AmeriHealth Caritas
- Congreso de Latinos Unidos
- Crust Vegan Bakery
- Future Standard
- Highmark Mann Center for Performing Arts
- Immortal Vision Studio
- National Center for Urban Solutions
- Penn Medicine
- PTR Baler & Compactor
- Rhoads Industries
- Stateside Brands
- Steady Strides Behavior Solutions
- Temple Health
- Triple Bottom Brewing
- TWB Cleaning Contractors
City officials highlighted Rhoads Industries and Triple Bottom Brewing as examples of how Employer of Choice practices can drive both business performance and equitable workforce development.
Rhoads Industries, based at the Navy Yard, was recognized for building early career pipelines through partnerships with the School District of Philadelphia’s welding career and technical education programs. Through its Navy Talent Pipeline, the company recruits apprentices directly from Ben Franklin, Edison, Randolph, and Mastbaum high schools, creating a direct bridge from classroom to shop floor in an industry offering family-sustaining wages.
Triple Bottom Brewing, a woman-owned brewery and event space, was cited for its commitment to fair-chance hiring. Founded in 2019, the company operates a 16-week paid job training and leadership development program for justice-impacted individuals, pairing hands-on hospitality training with coaching and life-skills support. It is the first and only brewery in Pennsylvania to earn B Corp certification.
Emma Baylin, director of workforce development for CCME and Workforce Programming, said the awardees are setting a higher bar by pairing business success with intentional investment in people and long-term talent pipelines.
The city also pointed to past awardees as evidence of the program’s momentum. Lou Rodriguez, CEO and president of Rodriguez Consulting, named a 2025 Employer of Choice, said the designation reflects a deliberate strategy to hire locally and invest in employee development through initiatives such as in-house training programs.
Officials said the goal of the Employer of Choice initiative is not only to recognize standout employers, but to create a citywide culture in which workforce investment is seen as essential infrastructure — as critical to Philadelphia’s future as roads, schools, and public safety.
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