With budget bump, Philly recreation department hopes to expand jobs program

Mayor Michael Nutter’s proposed budget provides additional funding for a jobs program in Philadelphia that is designed to help city teens. 

Recreation Commissioner Mike DiBerardinis said he’s like to expand the training the recreation department offers teens.

“The mayor’s proposing an almost $4 million investment that would allow us to create career paths and job skills for, not only the young people who currently work for us, but hundreds and hundreds more,” he said.

The department can help teens learn job skills in many categories, DiBerardinis said.

“As an arborist, as a rec leader, as an administrative person,” he said of some of the options. “And try and track them into a career, whether in government or outside of government, in the appropriate fields.”

About 300 teens are currently participating in a smaller version of the program.