“These are the types of programs we need to replicate and expand in the District,” said Councilmember Kwame Brown, author of the Get DC Residents Training for Jobs Now Act.  “Now, these graduates have marketable skills in the construction industry such as weatherization and smart meter installation.  Not only that, a majority of them have already accepted job offers.”

In addition to green skills, students in the program learn job readiness skills, construction related math, basic construction techniques such as the use of hand tools, power tools, dry walling, scaffolding, OSHA safety training and CPR, and blueprint reading.

Three main areas of training are covered during the program including:

• Soft skills training, that covers workplace literacy skills;
• Core construction training, through the National Center for Construction Education and Research curriculum; and
• The Green Pathway DC ‘Green Elective’, which allows students the choice in advanced training in one of three green fields: sustainable building, weatherization, or smart meter installation.

The students’ training and hard work is rewarded with four nationally recognized certifications.  The program is funded with approximately funding from the DC Department of Employment Services and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

For more information or to interview Councilmember Kwame Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at mprice@dccouncil.us.

Production Assistant Training Seminar

The District of Columbia Office of Motion Picture and Television Development (MPTD), in partnership with Production Assistant Training Seminars, LLC (PATS) will offer a Production Assistant training seminar on Saturday, July 17, 2010.  The seminar is a one-day training program for District residents, taught by experienced industry professionals, for individuals interested in pursuing a future career in film and video production, who are ready to take the first step and “get their feet in the door”. Upon completion of the program, participants will be enrolled in PATS’ national database of qualified production assistants and MPTD will work to place graduates on the sets of film and video projects produced in the District.

What is a Production Assistant?

Production Assistant is the entry-level position in the film and video production industry, providing support to the rest of the crew on film, television, commercial, music video and other production sets. After working as a PA to gain experience and contacts, you can move up into more skilled positions in specific crew departments. Everyone in the industry starts as a PA.

As a PA you can expect to work long hours (including early morning, nighttime, and weekends), often on your feet, in all weather conditions. Production Assistant is typically a freelance position. PAs normally are hired day-to-day, and project-to-project. Pay rates vary based on the type, size, and budget of each project, but typically start at about $100-$150/day with no benefits. Please seriously consider whether these working conditions are right for you before applying for this seminar.

What is included in the seminar?

The seminar, taught by film industry professionals, will provide a thorough orientation of the film industry and the protocols and procedures needed to work confidently on any film or television set. Practical hands-on drills and one-on-one coaching will be offered throughout the day. Some of the topics covered include:

• The Director’s Team
• Script Breakdown
• Your First Day
• Set safety and protocol
• Background performers
• Production Paperwork
• Other PA jobs
• Resume and interview skills
• Job search techniques

Who should apply?

This program is open to District of Columbia residents only. No previous production experience or knowledge is required.

To be eligible to apply you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Live in the District of Columbia & be eligible to legally work in the U.S.
• 18 years or older
• Have a valid driver’s license (most PA jobs will require driving) – proof of driver’s license required at registration
• Available and able to attend the full-day training on Saturday, July 17 (8:30 AM to 5:30 PM) at American University, Wechsler Theater (4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW).

How much does the seminar cost?

This seminar is sponsored by the District of Columbia Office of Motion Picture and Television Development and is offered at no cost to District residents. Space is limited to 50 participants and seats will be filed on a first-come, first-served basis. Only complete applications will be considered for applicants meeting all of the eligibility requirements.

How to apply?

The application deadline is July 7, 2010. Applications will be accepted by mail, email, fax, and in person at the MPTD office. You may request an application by calling 202-727-6608, emailing film@dc.gov, visiting http://film.dc.gov, or in person at the MPTD office (2025 M Street, NW, Suite 600).

Michael Whitfield, Jr.’s Story

“If I can battle day school, night school, a job and a daughter…you all can do it.  Keep pushing.”

Rico Kinney’s Story

“Having a close brush with death isn’t easy…I would like to thank my mom for letting me see the light.”

Tyler Goodger’s Story

“It was really hard being away from my mother.”

Mario Brooks’ Story

School: “Mario demonstrated growth in community and vocational involvement.  As a student that has an intellectual disability, Mario displayed great character when presented with life’s challenges.”

Shavionne Smith’s Story

“I thank my mom for helping me…”

For all the untold stories visit http://www.youtube.com/tellkwamebrown.

“When you hear these students’ stories, you think to yourself, they can do anything,” said Councilmember Kwame Brown.  “There’s nothing that can hold them back when they put their minds to it.  The students, parents, and educators should be proud of the amazing achievements they’ve made.  I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about these bright young stars in the future.”

Each year, Councilmember Kwame Brown invites all District high schools to nominate a student for the award.  This year, the following students were nominated by their schools and received the award (Alphabetical order by school):

Benjamin Banneker: Raphael Woldeab
Caesar Chavez: Elton Wright
Caesar Chavez: Shavionne Smith
Calvin Coolidge: Angel Jones
Cardozo: Isaiah Aladejobi
Duke Ellington: Lois Wilkerson
Eastern: Tyree Boney
Edison Friendship Collegiate Academy: Torrie Davis
IDEA: Alana Shields
Kamit Institute: Adrian Hall
Luke C. Moore: Cornell Harris
Mamie D. Lee: Mario Brooks
Maya Angelou PCS: Raheem Hannah
McKinley Technology: George Blanks
Roosevelt: Rico Kinney
School Without Walls: Michelle Burris
SEED PCS: Tyler Goodger
Spingarn: Denard Duncan
Thurgood Marshall: Parris Robertson
Transition Academy: Dontate Robey
Washington Math, Science and Technology: Michael Whitfield, Jr.
Young America Works: Phyllis Stoddard

For more information or to interview Councilmember Kwame Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

On Friday, June 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m., join At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown for the 4th Annual Most Improved Student Awards.  Each year, Councilmember Kwame Brown extends invitations to public high school principals and teachers in the District to nominate seniors who have shown significant academic and personal improvement.

“These are students who, like me, weren’t at the top,” said Councilmember Kwame Brown.  “Through determination and perseverance, they’ve shown that anyone can be an achiever.  It’s an honor to recognize these students whose stories will inspire the next graduating class.”

One student, Adrian Hall from the Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers, is receiving the Most Improved Student Award.  She came to the Kamit Institute with a low grade point average in the 10th grade but managed to raise it to a remarkable 2.9.  She was a participant on the college tour and was accepted to Benedict College, where she plans to attend in the fall.  Over 200 high District students have been accepted to college since the program began in 2008.

Event Details

WHAT: Most Improved Student Awards
WHERE: 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW—John A. Wilson Building, Rm. 412
WHEN: Friday, June 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

To RSVP for the awards, complete the following form:

For more information or to interview Councilmember Kwame Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

This week, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown had the honor of speaking at several high school graduations before hundreds of inspiring students.  Graduates performed songs, elaborate dances and showcased their talents to celebrate the close of one chapter in their lives and the beginning of the next.  Councilmember Kwame Brown gave out the first of many Most Improved Students Awards in advance of next week’s presentation ceremony.

“I just couldn’t be more proud of the students, family members and teachers who overcame all the obstacles leading up to this day,” said Councilmember Kwame Brown.  “Success begins in high school and these achievers have proven that nothing will stand in their way.  I can’t wait to see what they can do next.”

Many of the graduates participated in this year’s College Round-Up tour to Tarboro, North Carolina where a record breaking number of District students got into college.  One student from the Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers, Adrian Hall, received the Most Improved Student Award.  Councilmember Kwame Brown recounted the story of how she came to the Kamit Institute with a low grade point average in the 10th grade but managed to raise it to a remarkable 2.9.  She was a participant on the college tour and was accepted to Benedict College, where she plans to attend in the fall.  Over 200 high District students have been accepted to college since the program began in 2008.

Councilmember Kwame Brown also spoke to graduates at Wilson High School, SunRise Academy, and Carlos Rosario Public Charter School.  Next week, he will host the 4th Annual Most Improved Student Awards and is inviting the community to come support the students.

WHAT: Most Improved Student Awards
WHERE: 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW—John A. Wilson Building, Rm. 412
WHEN: Friday, June 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

To RSVP for the awards, please go to the following link:

http://www.thewedistrict.com/most-improved-student-awards-2010/

To Live or Die A Slave

Dolen Perkins-Valdez will discuss her debut novel “Wench” Saturday, June 12. 12:00 p.m., at the Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library.  Perkins-Valdez explores the lives of four slaves serving as masters’ mistresses who meet when their owners vacation in Ohio.  As they see free blacks and hear whispers of abolition, they each grapple with the choice of staying and running away.  Saturday, June 12. 2:00 p.m., Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library, 5625 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Free. To sign up, call (202) 282-0021.

Local Author Tells of The Good Fight

Calvin Goddard Zon will read and discuss his book, “The Good Fight That Didn’t End: Henry P. Goddard’s Accounts of Civil War and Peace,” Saturday, June 12 at 2pm in the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library’s first floor auditorium.  Zon tells his great-grandfather’s story in the Union Army, Reconstruction and beyond using letters, reports, and newspaper writings.   A question and answer period, and a book signing and sale will follow the program.  The Cleveland Park Library is located at 3310 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.  For more information or to sign up, please call (202) 282-3080.

For more information visit http://www.dclibrary.org/.

Washington, D.C. – Metropolitan Washington lags slightly behind the national average in developing new jobs in the fast-growing health care sector, even though the region has produced jobs in other sectors at twice the national rate, experts at “United for Jobs: A Region Forum on Careers in Health” said today. The forum was organized by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).

Workforce and health care experts at the forum focused on the need for regional leaders to increase funding for community colleges to prepare candidates for jobs in new areas of the health care sector, such as health information management, and to help colleges and universities create more clinical training facilities. Participants also encouraged philanthropic organizations to support more scholarships for prospective students in health care related fields.

The important role of community colleges was highlighted by Matt Erskine, executive director of the Greater Washington Initiative (GWI). “This region has had the second best general job growth in the nation: we are twice the national average and just behind Dallas,” he said. Erskine noted that projections indicate that the largest gap in future job growth and skilled employees is in fields requiring two-year degrees, which are provided by community colleges. He added that COG, GWI, and the Greater Washington Board of Trade could take the lead in advocating for more funding and regional coordination on workforce development.

“We have an opportunity here in metropolitan Washington to develop the most competitive healthcare workforce in the country. We are home to one of the nation’s strongest economies and we have fantastic academic and research institutions. But for all of our strengths, we don’t have a regional healthcare workforce strategy,” said District of Columbia Councilmember Kwame Brown, Chair of the COG Board of Directors. “We are better positioned to prosper—especially in this time of limited resources—if we band together as a region.”

Forum participants also emphasized the need for a new regional marketing strategy that would serve multiple purposes, such as promoting the region’s current assets and increasing awareness of the wide variety of jobs in the health care sector. As the demand for new careers in the sector – such as in Electronic Health Records (HER) management – grows, the demand for more traditional jobs including physical and occupational therapists and nurses is projected to increase significantly as well. A critical shortage of nurses led The George Washington University to open a new School of Nursing, said Ellen Dawson, Chair of the university’s Department of Nursing.

“Our region is projected to create an additional 1.2 million jobs over the next 20 years, but we need to be prepared to fill them,” said William Euille, Mayor of Alexandria and Chair of COG’s Workforce Competitiveness Task Force.  He said a summary report of today’s discussion and recommendations for next steps will be presented at next week’s COG Board of Directors meeting.

“We see a generational shift in what is needed (for many healthcare jobs,) said Elyse Kaplan, Vice President of Human Resources for Adventist Health Care Inc. “We need a workforce that is comfortable with technological developments and able to quickly adapt to information technology changes.”  Kaplan noted that this flexibility will enable workers to advance their careers, a recommendation of COG’s regional workforce development report, Closing the Gaps to Build the Future. The report served as the catalyst for the United for Jobs forum.

COG is the association of 21 local governments working together for a better metropolitan region.

According the flyer: (Download flyer)

Capital Health Careers Project addresses dual needs in the District of Columbia for alleviating unemployment and filling healthcare workforce deficits.  The program is funded in part by a $4.9 million grant from the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

• Recruitment begins Spring, 2010
• Classes start Summer, 2010
• Will provide job placement through 2013

Scholarship Opportunities Available:

• Disability Service Provider
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Registered Nurse
• Health Information Technology Certificate
• Master of Science in Info Tech (M.S.I.T)
• Gerontology Certification for LPN
• Community Health Worker
• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Health Information Technology Competency Development
• Bachelor of Arts in Info Tech (B.A.I.T.)
• Home Health Aide

Capital Health Careers Partners

• Providence Hospital
• Catholic University of America
• DC Dept. on Disability Services
• DC Dept. of Employment Services
• DC Primary Care Association
• Regional Alliance for Careers in Health
• Community College of DC
• United Planning Organization

For more information
Call: 202-238-4731
Email: upochc@upo.org
Visit: http://bit.ly/capitalhealthcareers