Twenty-one District residents graduated Wednesday from the DC Infrastructure Academy’s Pepco Utility Training Program, bringing the total number of graduates to 316 since the program’s inception.
The graduates of Cohort 17 completed a 14-week training program that included hands-on experience, technical skill development and preparation for the Construction and Skilled Trades exam. According to program officials, 40% of graduates have been hired by Pepco, while others have found work with contractors.
“This is so much more than a training program; it’s a launchpad for long-term success,” said Rodney Oddoye, chief operating officer of Pepco Holdings. “This partnership continues to create pathways for District residents, providing the skills and opportunities to not only transform their lives, but also strengthen the neighborhoods they will soon serve.”
The program is a collaboration between Mayor Muriel Bowser, the District Department of Employment Services, Pepco, its parent company Exelon, and local contractors including CW & Sons, Flippo Construction and Fort Myer Construction. The partners interview and hire graduates, creating a pipeline from training to employment.
“As experienced workers retire and industries across the country face a growing talent gap, there’s an increasing need to build the energy workforce of tomorrow,” said Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, the District’s secretary of labor and director of DOES. “Beyond preparing District residents for successful careers, we’re shaping a workforce that reflects the diversity, skill and strength of the communities we serve.”
District residents interested in the Pepco Utility Training Program can find more information at dcia.dc.gov.
