Drexel University and Peirce College announced this afternoon the launch of a collaboration to help adult learners in the Philadelphia region prepare for the influx of new jobs. 

According to the press release, over the next 10 years, Philadelphia is expected to add tens of thousands of new jobs — as stated by projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The new positions are primarily in the healthcare and technology-driven medical research sectors. 

The two institutions paired to offer a pair of pilot programs for adults to continue their education to better position themselves for these jobs created due to economic growth. The first program is a Peirce-Drexel pathway where students can first enroll at Peirce to earn an online associate degree and then proceed to earn an online bachelor’s degree at Drexel. 

The other is a partnership with St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children to add an experiential learning component to the schools’ medical coding and billing certificate program. 

“This program aims to remove the barriers that prevent many adults from completing their degree, enrolling at colleges and universities and acquiring the credentials and advanced skills needed to secure in-demand, well-paying jobs,” said Drexel President John Fry. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to promote inclusive economic growth in service to the Philadelphia community.”

These initiatives have the goal to enable institutions to help more adult and traditional learners expand their skill set through flexible pathways that accommodate the schedule of working adults. If the pilots are successful, the schools plan to expand their partnership to offer additional educational opportunities.

The start of the pilot programs will happen in the fall. 

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