STEP 1: Prepare the two documents that you need to get your work permit.

• Document 1: First is the Application for Work Permit. You can download it and fill it out digitally, or print it out.
  • Please fill out everything except for “Signature of Issuing Officer” and the fields on the top right.
  • Have it signed by your parent or guardian, in the box at the bottom left. This part is really important, because we won’t accept unsigned applications.

• Document 2: The second document is your Proof of Age. The following can be used as proof of age:
  • Birth certificate (copies are acceptable)
  • State ID or driver’s license
  • Passport
  • Baptismal certificate
  • Student ID card that has a date of birth on it
  • Medical insurance card that has a date of birth on it

STEP 2: Apply for a working permit (don’t forget to bring your 2 documents listed above)

• In-person – Walk-ins only; no appointment necessary. Please bring a completed and signed application and the minor’s proof of age document. If you don’t have a printer, we have blank applications on site. In that case, a parent or guardian must come along so they can sign it.
  The minor must be present.

Effective August 27, 2024, through June 12, 2025, working papers hours and locations will be:

• Tuesdays 3-5pm 
  West Philadelphia High School
  4901 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
• Wednesdays 3-5pm
  South Philadelphia High School
  2101 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
• Thursdays 3-5pm
  Lincoln High School
  3201 Ryan Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19136

There will be NO working papers at the school locations on these dates, due to the holidays:

• Thursday 10/3/2024 Rosh Hashanah
• Thursday 11/28/24 Thanksgiving Recess
• 12/23/24 – 1/2/25 Winter Recess
• Wednesday 1/29/25 Lunar New Year

Saturday Working Papers at the Education Center:

When: Saturdays 8:30am-12:30pm, from 9/14/24 – 6/28/25
Where: 440 N. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130

There will be NO working papers at the Education Center on these Saturdays, due to the holidays:

11/30/24 Thanksgiving Recess
12/28/24 Winter Recess
2/15/25 President’s Day
3/29/25 Eid-al-Fitr
4/19/25 Good Friday
5/24/25 Memorial Day
6/7/25 Eid-al-adha

How to Search for a City Job

• Visit www.phila.gov/jobs
• Filter job options using the “Search Bar” or the “Filter Section”
• Check the box for civil service jobs (5 CTE preference points apply; require a competitive exam):
  • Click on a job title that interests you, review qualifications, and if suitable, click “Apply for this job”

Do not forget the following requirements to receive the 5-point CTE preference:

• Check the CTE Box and enter your CTE program to qualify for the 5 preference points.
• Include your high school name and graduation year, as you are only eligible for the preference within three years of program completion.

*Note: 5-point CTE preference DOES NOT apply to non-civil service jobs.
*Note: Residency in Philadelphia for one year before the appointment date is mandatory.

Next Steps

• Monitor the provided email after submitting your application. If qualified, you’ll get a Notice of Approval and a Notice to Appear for the exam.
• Take the exam. Passing candidates are ranked “Eligible List” by overall score (includes preference points). Eligible lists are valid for up to two years.
• Interview: The City interviews candidates in Eligible List rank order for job openings, and many positions have multiple openings.

DECA focuses on business skills such as marketing, management, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. Students take part in competitive skills events, scholarships, educational conferences, campaigns, initiatives, and school-based enterprises.

• PA DECA
• DECA

FBLA prepares students for leadership and careers in business through business-related education and entrepreneurial skill development, community service, and partnerships with the professional sector.

• PA Future Business Leaders of America (state website)
• Future Business Leaders of America (national website)

FFA focuses on preparing students for careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture.

• PA FFA Association (state website)
• FFA (national website)

HOSA serves as a major pipeline of health care professionals. Their goal is to promote careers in healthcare and to prepare students for them.

• PA Health Occupations Students of America
• Health Occupations Students of America

SkillsUSA plays an important role in CTE at the state and national level. They’re a non-profit organization that aims to complement students’ technical skills by focusing on employability.

• SkillsUSA  (national website)
• SkillsUSA (state website)

Students Occupationally and Academically Ready (SOAR) is a program that allows CTE students to receive free college credits from certain PA state colleges and universities.

Some colleges and universities aren’t in the SOAR program but they still offer credits to students who graduate from CTE. These schools are under what’s called a “1-on-1 Articulation Agreement”, meaning that they’ve partnered with our District to award college credits.

How to figure out which courses will count in college: Each utilizes a different application process. Check which schools will recognize your CTE education here: CTE College Credits list.

If you’re interested in this program, please reach out to Reggie Moton so we can guide you through the application process. From here we’ll help you figure out if the college credits are through SOAR or through a 1-on-1 Articulation Agreement.

If it’s SOAR:

• • Your Technical GPA must be 2.5 or higher to apply.
  • In order for your credits to be accepted, you have to be accepted to the college/university.
  • Have your instructor fill out the following forms:
    • Perkins Statewide Articulation Agreement
    • POS Perkins Statewide Articulation Agreement Documentation Coversheet
      1. If you’re applying to Community College of Philadelphia, fill out this coversheet instead
  • You’ll need a copy of the following documents:
    • Completed PAL (100% Mastery achieved)
    • NOCTI certificate (Competent or Advanced)
    • Industry Certification (optional but highly recommended)
    • High School Diploma
  • Official student transcript

Once you have all of the above, submit everything to Reginald Moton, our office’s Advanced Academic Coordinator.

If it’s a 1-on-1 Articulation Agreement:

Submit the following documents to Reginald Moton, our office’s Advanced Academic Coordinator:

• Proof of acceptance into the college/university
• Copy of high school diploma
• Official student transcript
• Secondary Competency Task List signed by the instructor
• PA Certificate of Competency or PA Skills Certificate from CTE program area or local certificate (if applicable)
• Earned industry certifications (if applicable)

If you got a score of 70% or higher on your NOCTI online exam:

Note: The NOCTI College Credit Recommendation Report can give you a cutting edge in being accepted to college, and even getting some courses waived.

You should have received a College Credit Recommendation Report.

You can use it by:

• Including it in a portfolio
• Approaching college/university programs to ask about credit opportunities
• Applying for optional transcripted credit through Excelsior College

For more information please visit NOCTI’s website

Is there a time limit after a qualifying student graduates from a SOAR program to receive the college credits?
Yes, the student has three years from their date of graduation to apply and be enrolled in the related CTE program at a partnering postsecondary institution to receive credit.

Are students required to complete all competencies on the POS Secondary Competency Task List?
Yes.

Yes! We partner with external organizations frequently, from workforce development programs to facilitating hiring fairs, and more! Please CONTACT us so we can learn what your needs are.

See: working papers.

For a quick overview of all of our programs and which schools offer them, visit our CTE Programs List.

Check out Apply to CTE!

On top of your normal classes, you’ll learn practical hands-on skills. You can earn industry certifications on top of your high school diploma. Certifications can help you get ahead in a college or job application. You’ll also have the chance to do internships or other work-based learning experiences.

CTE programs start in 10th grade and last until high school graduation. To complete the program, you’ll need to take the NOCTI exam.

See: NOCTI and CTE & Graduation

There is no difference at all! No matter what type of school they are offered in, CTE programs have the same curriculum, instruction, and overall experience.

Nope! CTE is designed for all students. Many of our students who graduate from a CTE program do end up going to college. CTE programs help students make informed decisions about their future, as they learn about trade schools, apprenticeships, college programs, or jobs that hire straight out of high school.

Our CTE programs are only available to high school students beginning in the 10th grade until the end of their senior year. But, some elementary and middle schools may offer CTE-related courses. To find out if any elementary or middle schools offer a CTE course, please contact those schools directly.

The training, materials, and exams to obtain industry certifications are free to our CTE students.

Students who graduate from CTE programs have many options. They can:

• Continue their education at colleges.
• Go directly into the workforce.
• Go to trade school.
• Do an apprenticeship.
• Some combination of all of the above.