Over 70 City residents have enrolled in CCME programs since launch; 24 complete inaugural and upskilling tracks this spring
PHILADELPHIA — Today the City of Philadelphia celebrated the graduation of members of its inaugural cohort of the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME) and the Streets Department Surveyor 1 Upskilling Program. CCME is a groundbreaking initiative that launched in October 2024 to help City residents and employees grow their careers through skills-based training and development and create viable pathways to sustainable economic opportunity.
Since the program began, more than 70 participants have enrolled in CCME programs. Tonight 24 participants were honored at a formal graduation ceremony at the Community College of Philadelphia. Students graduated from the Business Administration, Technology, and Skilled Trades tracks, but CCME also offers programs in Healthcare, Public Safety, and STEM.
“This is more than a graduation. What we are creating in Philadelphia with the City College of Municipal Employment is a network of skilled, passionate, and eager Philadelphians ready to work and make a difference in their community,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “These graduates represent the future of our great city, and this program is a testament to my commitment to creating economic opportunity and mobility for Philadelphia families.”
“Completing this program has been a milestone achievement,” said Aleena Chandy, CCME graduate. “I’m grateful for the career skills, stipends, and paid internships that prepared me for success. I’m looking forward to supporting my family and contributing to our community. Thank you, Mayor Parker, for investing in this initiative and to my CCP instructors for their guidance.”
Individuals enrolled in CCME receive wraparound services and supports to ensure their success. CCME eliminates the financial barriers by providing courses at no cost and participants are eligible to earn financial achievement incentives throughout their career training pathway. The program helps participants build skilled knowledge in areas like management, operations, technology, as well as build career readiness skills such as communications, problem solving, collaboration and more while creating pathways for advancement in public service. The program also provides skilled training to existing city-employees with the goal of promoting them along their city career pathway.
“We are so proud of the graduates from this inaugural cohort. CCME is the first of its kind, and the graduates here today successfully completed their training tracks while remaining flexible as we navigated the ups and downs of developing a new program together,” said Carol de Fries, Executive Director of the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME). “We are eager to see our Upskilling participants use their new skills as they grow into new roles and we look forward to seeing what is next for all of our CCME scholars. Whether its in a role at the City of Philadelphia, one of our partners, or another employer in the region, our CCME graduates are now equipped to continue growing in their careers.”
“As the inaugural cohort of CCME students completes the program, they are not only transforming their own lives—they are uplifting our entire city,” said Dr. Alycia Marshall, interim president of Community College of Philadelphia. “Today’s graduation is a proud milestone. It reflects the power of perseverance, the promise of opportunity, and the spirit of progress that defines us as One Philly. This program exemplifies what we can achieve when we come together. Through the strong collaboration between Community College of Philadelphia, the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Works, and the School District of Philadelphia, we are building a stronger, more equitable future where every learner has a path forward.”
The City of Philadelphia congratulates all 2025 CCME graduates and looks forward to continued expansion of the program in the coming year.