Taking Care of Business (TCB) Program Cleaning Ambassadors recently graduated from the first two of four cohorts of the Department of Commerce’s new program‑wide training series. Completion of the six-week training is a major accomplishment that reflects Ambassadors’ commitment to growth and service.
This training, which is built with our TCB Cleaning Ambassadors and partners in mind, is designed to meet the specific needs and goals of TCB crews. The TCB Program partners with community-based organizations to clean commercial corridors across Philadelphia. These community partners hire crews or subcontract with local cleaning companies to provide daily litter removal in the business areas where it’s needed most.
The program prioritizes place-based-hiring, focusing on neighborhood residents from different walks of life. TCB partners and subcontracted cleaning companies are intentional and inclusive in hiring justice-impacted individuals and providing year-round work opportunities.
Launched last November, the program-wide training series is designed to offer skill-building experiences and career navigation support for Cleaning Ambassadors to help them do well in their current roles, and gain the tools needed to advance into fruitful careers within their organizations and beyond.
Over the first two cohorts of the training series, 27 Cleaning Ambassadors representing 21 TCB organizations showed up with focus and curiosity to build real-world skills in professionalism, communication, customer service, goal setting, and more.
Through the training, each TCB Cleaning Ambassador also connects with a career navigator, who offers individualized coaching and support to help them explore career pathways and strengthen their stability beyond the job. Our partners at PA CareerLink, powered by Philadelphia Works, help connect Ambassadors to career and professional services.
The training series will include an additional two cohorts, including one presented solely in Spanish.
“This training series supports TCB Cleaning Ambassadors in building skills that they can use every day in their current roles, and in developing and exploring career pathways,” said Deputy Commerce Director Denis Murphy. “We are grateful to the partners who are helping support this work and look forward to continuing to build momentum together.”
Since its inception in 2019, TCB has expanded to include 51 neighborhood organization partnerships that employ more than 400 individuals.
