About Us
Founded in 2024, the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium (CWIC) 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:
Developing industry-led training programs.
Articulating effective career pathways leading to well-paying jobs.
Establishing best upskilling practices and training capacity for upskilling.
Forming strong partnerships with industry leaders and employers.
Demand and Untapped Supply
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.
At the Heart of It All
The Consortium activities take place across the District with a center of operations at Penn West Equity and Innovation District. “Situated in the nation's capital, Penn West is a part of a close-knit community that is committed to leveraging technology and creative urban planning to chart the future of the American downtown”, says Elizabeth Packer, Manager of Penn West.
With access to low-cost, highly flexible workspace; proximity to diverse tech talent, including local students from George Washington University and seven satellite universities from across the nation, and connections to government and policymakers, Penn West offers an inclusive and accessible location for all innovators. Initiatives like the Consortium make complete sense here!
