PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia has yet again outpaced the future. In a bold move towards the electrification revolution, the City has secured a $1.47 million federal grant from the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s Ride and Drive Electric program. Aided by this significant funding, the City is set to launch the innovative ‘Plug In Philly’ initiative – one that empowers Philadelphians for the electric vehicle era.
Developed under the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the grant places Philadelphia at the forefront of a nationwide move toward an electrified future. Acknowledging that the electric vehicle (EV) industry’s rise is inevitable, the Federal Government, in partnership with the City, organized labor, and education, aims to provide underserved Philadelphia residents with the training, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive in this booming field.
In the words of Mayor L. Cherelle Parker, the program will “expand economic opportunity for all by removing barriers to employment.” For 45 fortunate and diverse Philadelphians, this means the chance to partake in a workforce development program, equipping them for careers in electric vehicle supplies and equipment (EVSE).
The ‘Plug In Philly’ program is not merely about promoting employment; it’s about creating a more inclusive society. Through cooperative strategies with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 and its training arm, Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry (ATEI), the initiative aims to increase awareness of high-paying professional opportunities among those traditionally underrepresented in the electric vehicle sector. This includes Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), as well as women Philadelphians currently in low-wage jobs.
By developing a pre-apprenticeship EVSE-focused program and demand-side programming, ‘Plug In Philly’ seeks to support job placement in EVSE careers among its graduates. The program’s success means an increased, diversified workforce responsible for building a network of EV charging stations across the region.
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) recognizes the importance of this venture, stating that the federal funding will help to “bolster the EV workforce and train workers for good-paying union jobs.” The growth of the EV industry not only strengthens the local economy but also contributes significantly to reducing our carbon footprint.
With a two-year pilot and three cohorts of participants, the City officials strive to lead these individuals toward sustainable, full-time employment within the electric vehicle sector. In doing so, they expect a rise in BIPOC and female electricians employed on Philadelphia public works projects by 2030.
The ‘Plug In Philly’ initiative solidifies Philadelphia’s position as a city keen on aligning with the direction of progressive federal infrastructure laws. Mike Carroll, Deputy Managing Director for the City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS), emphasizes how this grant showcases the city’s ability to bring federal funds to the benefit of its residents.
Philadelphia is once again proving its enduring innovation and spirit through the ‘Plug In Philly’ program. By leading in the electric vehicle field, investing in citizen training, and diversifying its workforce, the City of Philadelphia has announced loud and clear: The future is electric, and Philadelphia is ready to lead the charge.
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