Community leaders, elected officials, educators and students gathered at Esperanza’s Hunting Park campus on October 16 for the ribbon-cutting of Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia, a workforce training center offering adults a new route into skilled-trades careers.

The ceremony celebrated a partnership among Esperanza, the Tec Centro Workforce Network and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. State and local representatives, along with members of Esperanza’s leadership, recognized the work behind the center and the opportunities it is intended to create for residents seeking more stable employment.

Although the ribbon-cutting marked the official celebration, students had already begun arriving in July, with construction starting in February, bringing classrooms and hands-on training spaces to Esperanza’s larger campus.

Esperanza founder and CEO the Rev. Luis Cortés Jr. welcomed attendees and acknowledged the organizations and officials who helped bring the project together. The speeches returned repeatedly to the same theme: how to connect people who want to work with the training needed to enter careers that can support their families.

A student’s second chance

Among the speakers was welding student Ray Castillo, who shared how he discovered the program.

«My reason for being here is because of a small billboard … I was not in a good place. I saw the QR code and took the opportunity,» Ray said.

Ray, who described himself as a first-generation immigrant, said returning to school wasn’t easy. Technical drafting was particularly challenging, and he had to become comfortable in a classroom again. His experience changed when he entered the workshop and began working with welding equipment.

«I saw that everything clicked. This is where I belong. This is a career I want to follow,» he said.

His goals extend beyond learning a trade. «I want to help my community, not only my family,» Ray told the room. «Everything became clear to me that this is where I belong.»

His remarks showed what the center’s promise of a career pathway means to someone already taking the first steps. Learning a trade can require adults to revisit classroom skills, build confidence with unfamiliar tools, and imagine a different working life.

Ray closed by addressing people who might consider joining a future class: «Keep looking forward, never stop moving. Continue to progress. There’s always a second chance.»

Training for jobs in demand

The welding program Ray entered is one of four trades being taught at Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia. Students can also pursue commercial-industrial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing and facility maintenance, fields that offer opportunities for people looking to enter the workforce or change careers.

The partnership with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology makes the training possible, providing the curriculum and instructors. Esperanza brings nearly two decades of experience in workforce development, while the Tec Centro Workforce Network brings a model already established in Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Harrisburg, and Berks County.

The programs are designed for those with no previous experience in the trades. Some can be completed in as little as six months. For residents who need additional preparation, the center also offers adult basic education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and GED classes.

The center expects to train approximately 96 students in skilled trades each year, while more than 360 people are projected to benefit from its broader services. Beyond technical instruction, students will have access to career guidance and assistance connecting with potential employers.

The potential earnings are another important part of the picture. Philadelphia County occupational data lists estimated entry-level hourly wages of $25.64 for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, $21.84 for welders, and $21.23 for HVAC mechanics and installers. While those figures are not guaranteed starting wages for graduates, they illustrate the earning opportunities available in these fields.

For Thaddeus Stevens College, bringing these programs to Philadelphia also carries a personal connection. College president Pedro Rivera grew up in North Philadelphia, a detail shared by Pam Smith, the college’s executive vice president of college advancement, who represented him at the ceremony.

«Talent exists in every community, and education can turn that talent into opportunity,» Pam told attendees.

Investing in North Philadelphia

Since its founding in 1986, Esperanza has built a network of educational programs and community services in Hunting Park, from housing counseling to immigration legal assistance. Adding Tec Centro expands that work into the skilled trades, bringing career training closer to residents seeking more stable employment.

Rev. Danny Cortés, Esperanza’s Executive Vice President and COO, spoke about the importance of giving people opportunities they can believe in.

«I think everybody’s always hopeful,» Danny said. «But every now and then, they need something that kind of shines a little brighter … to show them that that hope is well grounded. Esperanza’s job is to be that space.»

He also acknowledged the people who worked behind the scenes to open the center, including director Karina Ramirez and members of Esperanza’s workforce development team.

«We are conveners of hope, and that’s the job we signed up for,» he said.

State Senator Christine Tartaglione echoed his sense of responsibility to the neighborhood, reflecting on her longstanding relationship with Esperanza and its understanding of the families it serves.

«Esperanza understands this community. They understand the challenges for families, the barriers they encounter, and most importantly, they understand the vast potential of the people here,» Tartaglione said.

Turning that potential into opportunity also requires resources. State Senator Scott Martin, who helped secure state support for the Tec Centro Workforce Network, asked whether communities are equipped to help residents improve their circumstances.

«Are we building the infrastructure to allow people to do that?» Martin asked.

City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, whose district includes the new center, also addressed attendees, speaking about the importance of expanding access to education and employment opportunities in North Philadelphia.

The investment is intended to reach beyond the students who enroll in the coming months. Carlos Graupera, president and CEO of the Tec Centro Workforce Network, spoke about the long-term changes he hopes to see as more residents gain access to training and employment.

«One person at a time. One family at a time. Until we look back and realize a community has been transformed and income equality has largely been achieved,» Carlos said.

How residents can get involved

Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia is open to adults ages 18 and older in the Philadelphia area, including people with no previous trade training. Interested residents can learn about available classes and enrollment information at esperanzateccentro.org.

The programs are advertised as no-cost, although applicants should confirm eligibility, schedules, and any expenses with the center. Information is also available by calling Esperanza at 215-324-0746 or visiting 4261 N. 5th Street in Hunting Park.

With classes already underway, the center’s long-term impact will depend on what happens after students complete their training. For participants like Ray, the opportunity is already taking shape, with the hope that the skills they develop will lead to lasting careers and greater financial stability.