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Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia Celebrates Grand Opening

Shawn Plum; AIA, LEED AP
Shawn Plum; AIA, LEED AP
Associate Principal

Clockwise: Steven & Julian take a turn at the ribbon. The facility maintenance lab keeps an open, flexible floor so students can gather around the work and learn by doing. Rev Luis Cortes, PA State Senator Scott Martin, and Rev Danny Cortes celebrate a shared vision coming to life. PZSers Steven, Kristie, and Julian stopped by the front doors to celebrate the grand opening of a space we’re very proud to have designed. Julian checking whether the ductwork matches the drawings … spoiler: it does.

Ribbon cut, doors open, sparks flying!

On October 16, community leaders, workforce partners, and elected officials gathered in Hunting Park to celebrate the grand opening of Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia, the seventh location in the statewide Tec Centro Workforce Network. PZS Architects is proud to have served as architect for the new center.

Located on Esperanza’s multi-service campus at 4261 North 5th Street, the center brings together three partners: Esperanza, which leads and operates the center and brings 40 years of community service in North Philadelphia; Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, which provides the technical curriculum and instruction; and the Tec Centro Workforce Network, which connects local partners with educational resources and employers.

The center offers no-cost training in four skilled-trades programs: Metals Fabrication and Welding Technology, Commercial-Industrial HVAC, Commercial-Industrial Plumbing, and Facility Maintenance Technology. Designed for hands-on learning, the facility includes welding stations, a computer lab, and a drafting room, and is expected to train approximately 96 adults each year.

We congratulate Esperanza, the Tec Centro Workforce Network, and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology on this milestone, and we look forward to the graduates and careers that will grow from here.