Jobs Training Now Passes Committees

WASHINGTON – This week, the Committee on Economic Development, chaired by At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, held a Committee markup of the proposed “Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Request Act of 2009” and the “Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Support Act of 2009.”  Included in the final markup was $1.1 million to fund the “Get DC Residents Training for Jobs Now Act” (B18-183).  The language for the legislation was included in the committee budget report passed last evening by the Committee on Housing and Workforce Development, chaired by Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry.

“Clear, decisive action is needed to put the District on a path toward sustained economic recovery,” said Councilmember Brown.  “I want to thank Councilmember Barry and members of both committees for their leadership in recognizing the need for rigorous adult job training in the District.  We need to reform, restructure and reinvest in policies and programs that put District residents to work, revitalize our neighborhoods and create new opportunities for small businesses.  My top priority is to create a citywide adult job training program so that residents participate in the economic rewards of the city.”

The District has been edging closer to double-digit unemployment since the beginning of the year.  Councilmember Brown has been fighting for years for citywide adult job training to prepare District residents for emerging industries and jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly referred to as the national stimulus plan.

The “Get DC Residents Training for Jobs Now Temporary Act” (A17-711) authored by Councilmember Brown, passed the Council unanimously in January.  The legislation tasked the Mayor with issuing a plan to establish evening, weekend and summertime adult career technical education programs in three District owned facilities currently offering career technical training programs for high school students.  The Academy of Construction and Design at Cardozo Senior High School, the Hospitality High School at Roosevelt, and Phelps Vocational High School are the schools targeted by the legislation.  If the permanent version of the legislation becomes law, not only would the program be funded, it would mandate that job training for adults begin within 8 months.

“There is no time to lose on this critical issue,” said Councilmember Brown.  “Residents are competing with workers from Maryland and Virginia, states that have well established community college systems.  We can’t afford to continue without citywide training programs.”

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

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