Class #2 of Underserved DC Residents Gets Second Chance with Training and Jobs

Washington, DC --- On Friday, July 29, 2016 at 11:00 am, the second graduating class of Washington, DC residents who took part in an experimental pre-apprenticeship training program, endorsed by the Mayor and supported by the DC Department of Employment Services, were handed their graduating certificates and earned new jobs.

[L-R] Councilmember-Elect, Trayon White; Pedro Alfonso, President and CEO of Dynamic Concepts

Pedro Alfonso, President and CEO of Dynamic Concepts, opened the ceremony with welcoming and congratulatory remarks to an audience of graduating students, proud family members of the students, local DC officials and many other special guests. To help celebrate this milestone, Public Service Commissioners Joanne Doddy Fort and Willie Phillips; Ward 7 Councilmember-Elect, the Hon. Vincent Gray; Ward 8 Councilmember-Elect, Trayon White; Deborah Carroll, Director, Department of Employment Services, as well as representatives from the local utilities, set the tone for the graduates throughout the ceremony, handing out graduation certificates, offering words of wisdom and ushering them off with newfound stackable credentials into their new construction careers.

Second graduating class of Washington, DC residents who took part in an experimental pre-apprenticeship training program.

The training program was initially launched with a major celebration where the Mayor, Chair of City Council and Congresswoman were in attendance at the beginning of the year.

[Front L-R] Ron Watkins DCI COO; Deborah Carroll, D.O.E.S.; Willie Phillips, Public Service Commissioner

The inaugural class of graduated students have already moved into viable construction jobs.

The District currently has one of the highest unemployment rates in the region for those youth at risk from 20-24 year-olds, which runs about 12%, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.9%. In addition, returning citizens who also suffer from high unemployment, often require additional work readiness skills and experience. As Mayor Bowser commented, “Like all residents in the District, returning citizens deserve a pathway to the middle class.”

The second ceremony was held at DCI’s Washington Training Complex located at 1419 Kenilworth Avenue, NE.

Dynamic Concepts, Inc., founded in 1979, is a project management, utility network infrastructure and construction enterprise providing installation, project execution and maintenance services.

Contact:

Gabrielle Alfonso

(202) 944-8787

galfonso@dcihq.com