Students in the academy receive practical training in skilled trades beginning with the basics.
The program operates inside the Alan Horwitz "Sixth Man" Center in North Philadelphia, a hub for Philly Youth Basketball. Organizers say the location may seem unexpected, but the mission is clear: use basketball as an entry point to opportunities.
"We use basketball as a tool to bring in the youth, then we introduce them to everything else," said Amin Ray, a high school junior.
Participants ages 17 to 30 receive an introduction to multiple trades while exploring potential career paths.
Ray said the program gives young people, like himself, a chance to explore different fields before committing.
"It's kind of like a free trial of sorts. You get to see what you like, what you don't like, and see the trials and tribulations and see what fits you best," he said.
Greg Thomson, director of skilled trades for Philly Youth Basketball, said the academy builds on the discipline and teamwork students already learn through sports.
"The ability to be disciplined and accountable and work on a team, all those things that basketball and sports instill. We have a total pipeline of participants. We average over 20,000 people a month," Thomson said.
"It started with us going into the classrooms and learning about emotional intelligence, financial literacy," Ray said.
Thomson said the academy connects students with unions and businesses that value reliability and resilience.
"We are able to find the employers and the individuals that want to invest in you if you are available to show up early all the time and be coachable and be resilient," he said. "A big thing for us is getting them their driver's license, regardless of what age you are."
The Varsity Trades Academy is free for participants who have earned or are working toward a high school diploma. In addition to technical training, the program offers tutoring to help students prepare for the written exams required for job entry.