The Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium

We have the talent, and we have the jobs.

We have entered a new era where synchronizing our efforts is crucial. With technology advancing rapidly, the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium aims to align talent with industry demands, driving the region's economic future. Join us in building the bridge.

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Founded 2024 · DOES-funded · 13 partner organizations

Attendees seated at a Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium convening in Washington, DC.

Our Partners

  • DC Department of Employment Services
  • BuildWithin
  • George Washington University
  • Penn West Equity and Innovation District
  • Northern Virginia Technology Council
  • TECH and Venture Coalition
  • DC Startup and Tech Week
  • Golden Triangle BID
  • The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.
  • Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School
  • Maya Angelou Schools and the See Forever Foundation
  • Carolina Canyon Corporation
  • Metropolitan Engineering Inc — Shapiro-O'Brien

About Us

A partnership built to close the District's talent gap.

Founded in 2024, the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium is a Next Generation Sector Partnership formed and funded by the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) and convened by BuildWithin. This initiative serves as a driving force to align local talent with market demands through strong public-private partnerships in the technology and skilled trades sectors.

The Consortium's goal is to implement effective strategies to produce a competitive workforce capable of filling vacancies across the region.

Key strategies include:

  1. Industry-led training

    Developing industry-led training programs.

  2. Career pathways

    Articulating effective career pathways leading to well-paying jobs.

  3. Upskilling capacity

    Establishing best upskilling practices and training capacity for upskilling.

  4. Employer partnerships

    Forming strong partnerships with industry leaders and employers.

Demand and Untapped Supply

The jobs are here. So is the talent.

  • 5% District of Columbia unemployment rate
  • 10% Unemployment in Wards 7 and 8, against 4.4% in Wards 1–6
  • 45 Available workers for every 100 job vacancies
  • 100,000 Cybersecurity jobs in the DC metro area — the highest concentration in the country

The District of Columbia's unemployment rate, currently 5%, is slightly above the national average. However, a closer look reveals a more nuanced picture. In Wards 1-6, the average unemployment rate is notably lower at 4.4%. In contrast, Wards 7 and 8 report higher unemployment rates of 10%, highlighting the need for targeted support in these areas.

We face a perplexing paradox: For every 100 job vacancies, there are only 45 available workers, yet a significant pool of untapped talent remains unemployed. This gap is especially evident in Wards 7 and 8.

In a heartening contrast, the Washington, D.C., metro area—which includes Maryland, Northern Virginia, and D.C.—is experiencing strong demand for skilled professionals, particularly in the growing fields of technology and cybersecurity. The area boasts nearly 100,000 jobs in cybersecurity, giving it the highest concentration of such opportunities in the country. This presents a silver lining: a ripe environment for bridging the employment gap through targeted training and education initiatives. By aligning workforce development efforts with the booming tech industry, there is a clear path to reducing unemployment rates across all wards and securing the District's position as a hub of innovation and opportunity in the tech sector.

In the Nation's Capital, our vision is clear: to merge history with innovation, ensuring opportunities for all to engage in meaningful work that local employers need. Here, talent fuels our economy, offering everyone a chance to thrive in a future where progress and inclusivity walk hand in hand.

Dr. Unique Morris Hughes DC Secretary of Labor
Four colleagues standing and laughing together at an outdoor lunch gathering in a tree-lined Downtown DC plaza.

At the Heart of It All

Downtown DC BID

The Consortium activities take place across the District with a center of operations in the Downtown DC BID. Situated in the heart of the nation's capital, Downtown DC is one of the most centrally located business districts in the country — walkable to federal agencies, policymakers, and a dense concentration of employers, all within blocks of Metro access.

With proximity to diverse tech talent, including local students from George Washington University and seven satellite universities from across the nation, and direct connections to government and policymakers, Downtown DC BID offers an inclusive and accessible location for all innovators. Initiatives like the Consortium make complete sense here.

Who it's for

Find your way in.

Three ways to work with the Consortium.

Resources

Data and tools for the region

Ready to build DC's workforce together?

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