DC Department of Employment Services Partners with Local Businesses to Cultivate the Future Workforce

Washington, DC, March 02, 2018 -- Today, the Bowser Administration launched the DC Talent Leaders initiative, a collective of employers working to expand the number and quality of summer work experiences available to young Washingtonians. Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity Courtney Snowden joined the Department of Employment Services (DOES) Director Odie Donald II at the Microsoft Center for Innovation and Policy for today’s launch, which highlighted Microsoft’s and other private sector employers’ commitment to the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP).

“Talent is ubiquitous, opportunity and exposure are not,” said Deputy Mayor Snowden. “This initiative will afford the District's youth the critical career exposure necessary to ensure academic and career success, while also exposing them to the diverse industries and careers in our region, and help them to be competitive with the thousands of idealistic young people who move to our city every year.”

Through this initiative, DOES will partner with local, regional and national businesses to prepare and expand a diverse pipeline of young adults for success in the workforce. The initiative supports and fosters unsubsidized internships for District youth while providing them with quality professional experiences.  The DC Talent Leaders/Talent Capital DC initiative will also enhance the efforts of MBSYEP, a locally funded program for District youth ages 14 to 24, by aiding in increasing the number summer youth employment participants as private sector employers are encouraged to become host employers. 

“Partnerships such as these are important as it allows young Washingtonians to explore diverse career opportunities as they begin to set professional and life goals,” says DOES Director Donald. “Employers have an opportunity to provide guidance and mentor a new generation for in-demand jobs that will secure the futures of our workforce and the Greater Washington region's economy.”

To learn more about becoming an MBSYEP host employer, visit www.summerjobs.dc.gov. MBSYEP 2018 will begin on Monday, June 25, 2018 and end on Friday, August 3, 2018.

The Department of Employment Services (DOES) is the District’s lead labor, workforce development agency, and is responsible for providing District residents with critical employment readiness and job training services. The agency oversees Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programming, Unemployment Insurance, the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, Project Empowerment, L.E.A.P., DC Career Connections, and additional supportive programs for veterans and mature workers. To learn more about the programs and services offered at DOES, visit does.dc.gov.

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Social Media:

DOES Twitter: @DOES_DC

DOES Facebook: facebook.com/DeptofEmploymentServices

DOES Website: does.dc.gov

Attachment:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1d14a9cf-e71d-44f2-b24f-b9a406b6626b

Diane Watkins
D.C. Department of Employment Services
(202) 671-1904
[email protected]