PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia’s City College for Municipal Employment (CCME) and the Workforce Solutions team, in partnership with the Workforce Professional Alliance, announced the recipients of this year’s Employer of Choice Awards. This initiative honors Philadelphia employers who demonstrate leadership in recruitment, retention, and promotion practices that close the skills gap and support economic mobility. Fifteen local organizations have earned this distinction from the City of Philadelphia. 

“The Employer of Choice Awards highlight organizations investing in their people and building career pathways to long-term success,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “By supporting workforce development and innovative partnerships, we are helping Philadelphians gain the skills they need for meaningful employment and strengthening our city’s economic mobility.” 

The Parker Administration has made workforce development a top priority, launching the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME), a locally driven model that offers free education and career pathways for both Philadelphia residents and City employees. 

“The prosperity of Philadelphia’s employer community depends on a highly skilled workforce,” said Carol de Fries, Executive Director, Municipal College and Workforce Programming. “By recognizing and supporting companies that invest in their employees, we are building a workforce that is well-trained and truly representative of our community.” 

“Strong employer partnerships are at the core of Philadelphia’s workforce system and critical to building effective career pathways for both businesses and workers,” said Gianna Grossmann, Deputy Director for Workforce Solutions, CCME and Workforce Programming. “The Employer of Choice initiative highlights companies that invest in their teams and help strengthen our local talent ecosystem. Awardees will benefit from tailored business services, peer learning, and new opportunities for collaboration and best practice sharing across the city.” 

The 2026 Employer of Choice awardees are: 

“Employer of Choice awardees are setting a new standard in Philadelphia by forging impactful partnerships with workforce organizations, providing meaningful benefits, and creating real opportunities for advancement,” said Emma Baylin, Director of Workforce Development, CCME and Workforce Programming. “These employers are deeply committed to building strong talent pipelines and supporting the professional growth and long– term success of their employees.” 

This year’s awardees represent a diverse range of industries, employer sizes, and workforce strategies, united by their commitment to expanding opportunity. Rhoads Industries and Triple Bottom Brewing, exemplify how Employer of Choice practices drive both business success and equitable workforce development. 

Rhoads Industries, located at the Navy Yard, is recognized for its commitment to building early career pathways through partnerships with the School District of Philadelphia’s Welding Career and Technical Education programs. Through its Navy Talent Pipeline program, Rhoads recruits apprentices directly from Ben Franklin, Edison, Randolph, and Mastbaum High Schools, creating a direct bridge from education to employment. This model focuses on hiring and developing young, local talent for a growing industry that offers family-sustaining wages and long-term career opportunities. 

Triple Bottom Brewing is a woman-owned craft brewery and event space and the first and only brewery in Pennsylvania to earn B Corp Certification. A fair chance employer since its founding in 2019, Triple Bottom Brewing is dedicated to preparing justice-impacted individuals for careers in hospitality and beyond. Through its 16-week paid job training and leadership development program, apprentices receive hands-on training, coaching, and support with essential workplace and life skills—creating pathways to stability, growth, and long-term success. 

Lou Rodriguez, CEO and President of Rodriguez Consulting, named a 2025 Employer of Choice said, “This designation recognizes Rodriguez not only as a growing local business and employer, but as a firm that intentionally hires Philadelphia residents and invests in its workforce through initiatives like Rodriguez University. I view the Employer of Choice program as a reflection of how strong local businesses and strong local workforces are built together.” 

About the Workforce Professional Alliance 

The Workforce Professional Alliance (WPA) supports Philadelphia’s economic opportunity agenda by leading coordinated workforce development initiatives. Through partnerships with the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME) and the Workforce Solutions team under the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the WPA brings together over 30 organizations, representing more than $70 million in workforce investments. In collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and Philadelphia Works, WPA aims to build a more innovative, effective, and unified workforce system for the city. 

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