Esperanza is proud to announce Karina Ramirez as Director of Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia, marking another exciting milestone in the Tec Centro Network’s continued expansion of its workforce development mission across Pennsylvania.
Launching with a soft opening this summer, Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia provides industry-recognized training and career pathways designed to prepare Philadelphia residents for family-sustaining careers in high-demand skilled trades. Initial program offerings focus on Metals Fabrication and Welding Technology, Commercial Industrial HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), Commercial Industrial Plumbing, and Facility Maintenance Technology, provided by Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, to address critical workforce shortages and create new opportunities for economic mobility throughout the region.
Karina brings more than seven years of workforce development leadership to her new role, with extensive experience designing workforce initiatives, building employer partnerships, and connecting individuals to meaningful career opportunities. Most recently, she led a multimillion-dollar workforce development department in Washington County, Oregon, overseeing workforce training, career services, and employer engagement. Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating equitable, community-centered workforce solutions that strengthen both individuals and local economies.
Reflecting on the center’s mission and her vision for its impact, Karina Ramirez said: “Expanding economic mobility has been the cornerstone of my career, which is why I am honored to lead Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia. At a time when Philadelphia is looking to increase economic mobility, this partnership aims to create pathways to family-sustaining careers, strengthen our local workforce, and build lasting opportunities for generations to come.”
Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia represents an exciting new partnership between Esperanza, the Tec Centro Workforce Network, and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, combining each organization’s strengths to deliver high-quality technical education aligned with employer needs. Together, the partnership will expand access to hands-on training that prepares students for in-demand careers while supporting the workforce needs of Philadelphia’s growing industries.
“We are thrilled to welcome Karina to the Tec Centro family,” said Carlos Graupera, President of the Tec Centro Workforce Network. “Her experience building workforce partnerships and developing innovative career pathways makes her an outstanding leader for this important initiative. Under her leadership, Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia will help transform lives while strengthening Philadelphia’s workforce for years to come.”
As one of the newest members of the Tec Centro Workforce Network, Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia reflects the network’s continued commitment to expanding access to workforce education across the Commonwealth through strong local partnerships, employer collaboration, and industry-driven training programs that lead directly to opportunity.
The Tec Centro Workforce Network looks forward to celebrating the center’s continued growth and welcoming students, employers, community leaders, and partners like Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia begins serving the region this summer.