Workforce Development
Twice a year, the DCSEU connects District residents with 5-month paid green externships working with local contractors and other organizations. The DCSEU works to connect District residents who are new to the workforce, between jobs, or looking for a career change with local contractors, businesses, municipal agencies, and other organizations in the green economy. Through job skills development, on-the-job training and certifications, direct work experience with mentors, and job placement assistance, the DCSEU helps externs discover new careers in sustainability.
Mentor Support
The DCSEU partners with local contractors, businesses, municipal agencies, and other organizations to provide on-the-job training to District residents. Mentors play an essential role in crafting the externship experience and training for their specific workplaces with support from the DCSEU. Employers get a chance to interview candidates while they are working to find the right person for the job, at little to no cost to their company.
Externs
Externships are open to District residents from all levels of experience. If you are new to the workforce, between jobs, or looking begin building a new career, all are welcome to discover new careers in the green workforce through the Workforce Development program. Externs will gain direct work experience with mentors, job and soft skill development, access to trainings and credentials in different energy efficiency topics, and job placement assistance all at no cost to them while earning at least DC’s living wage.
Over 20 DC employers have helped make it possible.
Success Stories & News from the Workforce Development Program Externs
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Case Study: From Education to Action
After graduating from college, Frank Borris looked to pursue a career in the green industry. Through the Workforce Developmen...
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Building the Capacity to Compete: How Train Green is Helping this Organization Thrive
The District’s clean energy goals are some of the most aggressive across the country. DC’s Building Energy Performance … -
Meet the Winter/Spring 2023 Graduates of the Workforce Development Program
Every year the DCSEU's Workforce Development Program hosts 2 cohorts consisting of District residents earning hands-on experi...
More than 85% of externs go on to full-time positions after completing the program such as:
- Administrative Assistant
- Building Maintenance
- Electrical Engineer
- HVAC Helper
- Mechanical Engineer
- Program Assistant
- Project Assistant
- Solar Technician