About

Chester County OIC (CCOIC) is an affiliate partner of national OIC of America, Inc and OIC Philadelphia. CCOIC is a workforce development nonprofit with the mission of economic empowerment through Adult Education and Workforce Readiness, delivering around .  Each year, CCOIC serves nearly 1,000 people.  Our demographic includes individuals of lower-moderate income who are older teens and adults living in Chester County, PA.  CCOIC is headquartered in Coatesville, PA directly in the heart of the city. 

Chester County OIC is founded in 1979 (46 years old!). We have a rich history, launched in North Philadelphia by our late Founder Reverend Dr. Leon Sullivan.  Sullivan played a large role in ending apartheid in South Africa and creating the Black Middle Class in America. Sullivan was the first Black man to serve on the General Motors board and started the movement that is OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Inc.) by helping people help themselves.  His motto was that if we can support our most vulnerable or those impoverished in our communities through educational and workforce opportunities, people will set themselves up for success and change the trajectory of the next generation  and local economy.

CCOIC leads in workforce innovation, developing economy through program activity design, fabricating social systems, and using stakeholders to enhance Workforce Development practices.  Some of our students may be Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE), work in manufacturing or retail and face challenges in making a livable, family-sustaining income. We have several no-cost-to-student trainings to elevate their professionalism and give students Industry-Recognized Credentials to enter local job and career opportunities.  We cannot do this work alone and welcome partnership from community stakeholders, small businesses and corporations alike.