(Washington, DC) – Today, the Department of Employment Services (DOES) joined representatives from Pepco to honor 22 graduates of the Pepco Utility Training Program at the DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA). In addition to being the largest cohort, this is also the first cohort to fully train at the academy since its opening a year ago. Pepco’s Utility Training Program offers residents hands-on experience through classroom instruction with an outdoor training facility on the grounds of DCIA. Participants acquire skills in transformer testing, installing, repairing and maintaining overhead electrical lines, bucket truck operation, and other skillsets relevant to the infrastructure industry. A true success, 100 percent of the graduates were extended and accepted job offers from Pepco and their subcontractors to fill in-demand positions in the utility sector.
“We opened the DC Infrastructure Academy to get more DC residents connected to DC jobs, and that’s exactly what we’re celebrating today,” said Mayor Bowser. “These 22 graduates have worked hard to gain entry to a high-demand industry, and now they have found their pathway to the middle class. We are grateful for the public-private partnerships that are helping us realize the goals of the academy, and we look forward to getting many more Washingtonians their fair shot through careers in the infrastructure industry.”
The Pepco Utility Training Program is the first of its kind to include a utility yard to train residents for specific needs of the utility sector. Pepco’s commitment to DCIA has assisted in creating a pipeline for District residents to connect to career counseling and planning services, direct job placement, and more. A majority of the participants enrolled into the Pepco Utility Training Program reside in Wards 7 and 8.
“We are thankful to Pepco as we recognize how critical public-private partnerships are to the progression of the District’s economy,” said DOES Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes. “Today’s graduation is another milestone for the Bowser Administration and District residents, as we continue to bridge the gap between education and workforce development by ensuring Washingtonians across all eight wards have access to high quality workforce training and career services.”
Located between the Barry Farm and Fort Stanton communities in Ward 8, the DC Infrastructure Academy combines a series of hands-on and classroom trainings that include the Quick Path to Transportation, Quick Path to Information Technology, Quick Path to Energy, ATSSA Flagger and OSHA 10 trainings. Since its opening, DCIA has provided services to more than 1,500 District residents.