Vocational training is used to prepare for a trade or craft. This type of training includes areas such (but not limited to) as welding, construction, health care, hospitality and retail. DC has a multitude of vocation training programs sponsored by government agencies and community based organizations. For additional local organizations that have workforce development and vocational training programs please see this page.
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
University of the District of Columbia Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning Program
About: The UDC Community College Division of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning (WDLL) provides District of Columbia residents with job skills training leading to employment. The industries focused on are those where jobs are available in the District and in the metropolitan area. The WCLL center has training in high demand industries such as: construction and property Management, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, information technology and office administration. Classes take place at multiple locations in Wards 5,6,7 and 8.
Address: Multiple Locations (http://cc.udc.edu/wdp_locations)
Contact: Edith Westfall, Acting Dean (ewestfall@udc.edu or workforce@udc.edu)
Phone: (202) 274-7181
Department of Employment Services (DOES)
About: DOES has various vocational training programs for youth and young adults. DOES has training in high demand industries such as: information technology, health care, and construction.
Programs: Pathways for Young Adults, Youth Earn and Learn Program (Y.E.A.L.P.) and the Apprenticeship Program.
Click here for DOES contact information
Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) Youth Achievement Center
About: Vocational and work readiness services for youth who are under the supervision of DC juvenile courts. Youth can earn a professional certification in information technology, barbering, cosmetology, copper cabling, hospitality, construction and culinary arts. They also provide work readiness workshops, professional clothing for interviews and individual coaching.
Youth Achievement Center- Northwest
Address: 450 H Street NW Washington, DC 20001
Bus: 80, X2
Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown Station (Red, Yellow, Green)
Contact: Asante Laing, DYRS Achievement Center Program Manager (asante.laing@dc.gov)
Kieanna Evans, DYRS Youth Peer Advocate, (keianna.evans@dc.gov)
Phone: (202) 299-5362
Hours: Monday- Friday 8:30am-7pm
Youth Achievement Center- Southeast
Address: 2101 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Bus: 90, A42, A46, A48, B2, P6, V2, W2, W3, W8
Metro: Anacostia Station (Green)
Contact: Asante Laing, DYRS Achievement Center Program Manager (asante.laing@dc.gov)
Nataly Del Valle, DYRS Youth Peer Advocate, (nataly.delvalle@dc.gov)
Phone: (202) 645-5787
Hours: Monday- Friday 8:30am-7pm
Job Corps:
About: Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. The Job Corps program is authorized by Title I-C of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. There are hundreds of Job Corp locations across the country.
Local Job Corps Centers:
Potomac Job Corp:
Address: No. 1 D.C. Village Lane, S.W. Washington, DC 20032-5206
Bus: A4, W5
Metro: Anacostia Metro Station (Green)
Phone: (202) 574-5000
Woodland Job Corp:
Bus: N/A
Metro: N/A
Address: 3300 Fort Mead Road Laurel, MD 20724
Phone: (301) 362-6000
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
Run, Hope, Work:
About: Provides young adults with opportunities for personal growth through running, mentorship and hands-on training in fields like flooring and painting, and overall become active members in the community.
Address: 6031 Kansas Ave NW Ste 200, Washington DC 20011
Bus: K2
Metro: Fort Totten Metro Station or Takoma Park Station
Contact: Kate Harrison, Program Manager (kharrison@runhopework.org)
Phone: 202-288-8669
DC Central Kitchen
About: The Culinary Job Training Program prepares unemployed, underemployed, previously incarcerated adults without for careers in the food industry.
Address: 452 2nd Street NW Washington DC 20001
Bus: 13Y, D3, D6
Metro: Judiciary Square Metro Station
Contact: Marianne Ali, Director of Job Training (mali@dccentralkitchen.org)
Phone: 202-607-7318
So Others Might Eat (SOME):
About: The SOME Center for Employment Training (SOME CET) uses a holistic approach to prepare individuals for careers as medical administrative assistants, and building maintenance service technicians. SOME CET’s mission is to empower those who are homeless by providing vocational trainings programs, adults education programs and career development services. Will need government issues identification, Social Security card and birth certificate to enroll. High school diploma/GED not required.
Address: 2300 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE 4th Floor Washington, DC 20020
Bus: 90, A42, A46, A48, B2, P6, V2, W2, W3, W8
Metro: Anacostia Station (Green)
Contact: Emily Price (eprice@some.org & 202-797-8806 ext 1201)
Phone: 202-292-4460
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-11am
LAYC Youth Build Charter School
About: Provides youth ages 16-24 the ability to earn college credits, obtain their GED, and prepare for both college or a career in the healthcare and information technology fields.
Address: 3047 15th Street NW, Washington DC 20009
Bus: D32, H1, H2, H3, H4, H8, S1, S2, S4, S9, W47
Metro: Columbia Heights Metro Station (Green)
Contact: Marili Alvarado, Placement Specialist (marili@youthbuildpcs.org
Phone: 202-319-2228
Sasha Bruce Youth Works
About: Provides academic training toward a GED, vocational classroom training in carpentry, barbering, environmental maintenance and other occupations, on-site carpentry experience and job placement in a variety of high-demand fields. The program is for individuals who are not enrolled in school, test at or above the seventh-grade level in math and language skills and are committed to changing their lives.
Address: 421 Alabama Ave SE, Washington DC 20032
Bus: A2, A42, W1
Metro: Congress Heights Metro Station (Green)
Contact: Marlana Valdez, Workforce Development Program Director (mvaldez@sashabruce.org)
Phone: 202-675-9355
Brainfood:
About: A non-profit youth development organization for high school students that builds life skills and promotes healthy living in a fun and safe environment. Brainfood has four program levels where youth can learn cooking skills, lead healthy cooking workshops and cater local events.
Brainfood Chinatown
Address: 755 8th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 (enter through 733 8th ST NW)
Bus: 42, 79, 80, G8, P6, X2, X9
Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown Station (Red, Green, Yellow)
Contact: Carina Gervacio, Program Coordinator (carina@brain-food.org)
Phone: 202-615-9250
Brainfood Columbia Heights
Address: 1525 Newton St. NW Washington, DC 200010
Bus: 52, 53, 54, S1, S2, S4
Metro: Columbia Heights Station (Yellow, Green)
Contact: Carina Gervacio, Program Coordinator (carina@brain-food.org)
Phone: 202-615-9250
Brainfood Mt. Vernon Square
Address: 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001
Bus: D4, 64, G8
Metro: Mt. Vernon-Convention Center Station (Yellow, Green)
Contact: Carina Gervacio, Program Coordinator (carina@brain-food.org)
Phone: 202-615-9250