On May 17, at “Working for DC,” our 2012 awards dinner, DC Appleseed got to honor individuals and firms who have given so much to our community, and in particular, those who have been working with DC Appleseed to help launch a workforce intermediary, and create an independent community college.
Both of these efforts – the workforce intermediary and the independent community college – are designed to help less-skilled District residents access training and education so they can find jobs to support themselves and their families. They are also designed to help local employers hire District residents who will meet the needs of their growing businesses – and thereby provide increased tax revenues to the city which can, in turn, be used to improve city services. Win-win, as we like to say.
But just because we stopped to celebrate and thank people doesn’t mean we stopped the work.
The DC Council will hold a Roundtable on May 24 to consider resolution PR19-0645, the "Workforce Intermediary Task Force Recommendations Approval Resolution of 2012,” which endorses the recommendations made by the Workforce Intermediary Task Force, of which Walter Smith was a member. Once the Council approves this resolution, we will have the framework to move the WI from planning to implementation. And thanks to the work of the Task Force, the FY2013 budget includes $1.6 million for that implementation.
In addition, the UDC Community College Transition to Independence Advisory Board, of which Walter was also a member, will be releasing its final report in the next several weeks. The proposed FY2013 budget and Budget Support Act contain provisions, based on the recommendations of this Advisory Board, that provide a separate allocation for the community college, and that require UDC to develop a right-sizing plan to bring costs down and position UDC for a financially sustainable future.
DC Appleseed will continue Working for DC, helping to improve economic opportunity for District residents and business owners.
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