Job Training: Teach the Right Skills

Four industries make up the majority of DC’s economic growth: government, real estate, health care and technology. Hiring residents that live in the District for these jobs should be an integral part of maintaining a healthy middle class and a vibrant city. Unfortunately, many employers who want to hire citizens of DC have a difficult time finding skilled residents to take those positions.

While the DC Department of Employment Services has job training programs for residents, many of the programs are not in relevant industries; and furthermore, it is difficult to effectively track graduates of the program. For example, when determining eligibility for job training providers, nowhere does it mention the trades which they are required to teach. It only mentions "in demand" jobs, which could essentially mean anything.

Classes for people at the lower end of the economic spectrum can yield extraordinary benefits and allow them to move into higher paying jobs. But to do this, the DC government must help make them relevant to the people looking to hire.

To make our workers more competitive, it is necessary for our political leaders and DOES to customize their courses and contractor requirements to the skilled jobs in the District that are most available. The standards for these courses must be well regulated and oversight will be necessary to ensure that student performance is documented. More must also be done to bring employers and job training graduates closer together. Online job databases specifically for District residents and a streamlined process for hiring from these programs would go a long way to increasing opportunity for local residents.