(Lancaster, PA) —  Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology announces the launch of a training location with Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia, the newest location in the Tec Centro Workforce Network on Esperanza’s multi-service campus in Hunting Park, North Philadelphia. The workforce training center is the seventh site in the growing statewide network and will provide adult basic education and no-cost career training in high-demand skilled trades for unemployed and underemployed adults. The opening of Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia is made possible through funding received by the Tec Centro Workforce Network (the Network), a 501(c)(3) organization. The funds provided to the Network support the opening of new centers, construction, outfitting, and workforce training.

Thaddeus Stevens College has operated short-term trainings as part of its Workforce and Economic Development Center for about a decade, and is now excited to be expanding those trainings into a new region.

Esperanza brings nearly 20 years of workforce development experience helping local Philadelphians access quality employment opportunities and family-sustaining wages. The new site will expand access to workforce training while helping meet the growing demand for skilled workers in key industries throughout the region.

Programs launching at Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia, in partnership with Thaddeus Stevens College, include Metals Fabrication and Welding Technology, Commercial-Industrial HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning), Commercial-Industrial Plumbing, and Facility Maintenance Technology. Programs are open to adults 18 and older in the Philadelphia area seeking stable, family-sustaining career opportunities, including individuals from all backgrounds and experience levels. No prior training is required. ESL and GED classes will also be available for participants seeking to strengthen foundational skills.

Construction and final preparations for Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia are underway, with workforce training programs expected to begin after the center's completion later this summer. The first student cohorts are anticipated to launch at the end of July 2026.

Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia is a collaboration between Esperanza, the Tec Centro Workforce Network and the Workforce & Economic Development Center at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. The new center expands access to workforce education and career pathways for adults across Philadelphia while helping meet regional workforce demands in industries including welding, plumbing, HVAC, and facilities maintenance.

“By ensuring individuals have access to family-sustaining jobs, we continue to fulfill our vision of an opportunity community where everyone has access to economic mobility and a good quality of life. By addressing remaining gaps in access to training and job placement opportunities in these growing trades, this initiative will be a vital contributor to the overall health and economic vitality of Philadelphia and the region,” said Rev. Danny Cortés, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Esperanza.

Pedro Rivera, president of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, said the partnership with Esperanza and the Tec Centro Workforce Network expands the college's reach into Philadelphia, creating new pathways to family-sustaining careers. “It has always been the mission of Thaddeus Stevens College to create access and opportunity for education. Partnering with deeply embedded community organizations such as Esperanza, known for its dedication to uplifting the community in tangible ways, as well as Tec Centro, focused on training to open doors for a bright future, we couldn't envision a better relationship to establish the College's presence in Philadelphia. Together, we are excited to offer a curriculum and a chance for those looking to build a stable, meaningful career."

The launch of Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia marks another milestone in the Tec Centro Workforce Network's mission to expand community-based workforce training across Pennsylvania and connect more residents to family-sustaining careers.

"Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia represents exactly what the Tec Centro Workforce Network was created to accomplish, which is bringing together trusted community organizations, educational institutions, employers, and local leaders to expand opportunity where it is needed most. Every new center strengthens our statewide network while creating new pathways to family-sustaining careers for individuals and stronger workforces for the communities we serve. We are proud to welcome Esperanza as the newest partner in this growing movement," said Carlos Graupera, president and CEO of the Tec Centro Workforce Network.

Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia is initially expected to train approximately 90 individuals annually, creating pathways to employment, economic mobility, and long-term career growth for adults and families in the region, with plans to expand future program capacity through additional evening cohorts.

Enrollment is now open for upcoming information sessions. Individuals interested in learning more or registering can visit esperanzateccentro.org.

Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia will be located at:

4261 N. 5th St., Philadelphia, PA 19140

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An acclaimed residential two-year college in the heart of Central Pennsylvania, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is an accredited technical college dedicated to preparing students for high-demand careers with family-sustaining wages. Founded in 1905 with 15 students, Thaddeus Stevens College has grown to more than 1,400 students and 25 high-skill technical and trade degree programs. Through its mission, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology breaks down barriers that perpetuate educational inequities and creates access to a college degree. Committed to the legacy of its benefactor, Thaddeus Stevens, the college serves as an instrument of change in the lives of its students, graduates and employees who, in turn, impact change on businesses, industries and communities across Pennsylvania and beyond. stevenscollege.edu

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Esperanza was founded in 1986 to serve “the least of these” and to strengthen Hispanic communities and all who live within them. Today, Esperanza has grown into a $114 million organization with 680 employees serving approximately 35,000 individuals annually. We carry out this mission through programs in education, housing and economic development, arts and culture, and social change. Esperanza is committed to building an opportunity community in Hunting Park, one of Philadelphia’s most underserved neighborhoods, where safe streets, quality schools, thriving small businesses, affordable housing, and a vibrant cultural life create pathways for all to thrive. By addressing the systemic barriers that have historically limited progress for Latino communities, Esperanza provides access to education, skills, and opportunities that serve as on ramps to economic mobility and long-term success. For more information, visit esperanza.us

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Tec Centro Workforce Network is a coalition of community advocates, public officials, philanthropic leaders, and business professionals. The collective goal is to establish community-based workforce centers to serve disproportionately disadvantaged populations. These cities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have a high concentration of residents facing barriers to education, skills training, and job placement. And in working to proactively address and break down these barriers, the network provides the tools and opportunities for a way out of poverty.