​Event marks 200^th Pepco program graduate to move on to a career in energy and infrastructure in the District

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 17, 2023) – Community members and corporate and workforce partners joined Pepco and the District of Columbia's Department of Employment Services (DOES) today to celebrate the newest graduates of the Pepco Utility Training Program at the D.C. Infrastructure Academy (DCIA). Today's event also marked a significant milestone with the 200^th program graduate since this workforce development program launched in 2018, providing residents in the District with career opportunities in energy and infrastructure. 

"Five years ago, we created the DC Infrastructure Academy to give more Washingtonians a fair shot and put more residents on pathways to good-paying jobs," said Mayor Muriel Bowser. "And thanks to our continued partnership with Pepco, over 200 residents, including the 17 graduates today, have earned the skills and experiences they needed to pursue life-sustaining careers in a high-demand field. Congratulations to our graduates on this accomplishment!"

This 12^th cohort to graduate from the program included 17 District residents with diverse backgrounds who completed the 14-week training program that included both technical and in the field experience to prepare them for energy careers. All graduates will receive a job offer with Pepco or one of the company's contractors of choice. Graduates were joined by family and friends at Pepco's Edison Place Gallery and were presented with certificates of completion along with words of encouragement from District Government and Pepco.

"This is another exciting milestone for Pepco and DOES, but most importantly for these 17 graduates who have created a new and promising future for themselves and their families," said Tamla Olivier, senior vice president and Chief Operating Officer of Pepco Holdings. "We celebrated our 200^th program graduate and that would not have been possible without the continued partnership of Mayor Bowser and DOES, to expand workforce training opportunities and career services for local residents. This graduation ceremony marks the culmination of a great deal of effort, and we recognize the accomplishments of each participant as vital contributions to the future of the District's essential infrastructure workforce."

The Pepco Utility Training School at DCIA teaches the skills and provides the experience necessary to prepare District residents for well-paying careers within the energy utility industry. The program provides customized training for the Construction and Skills Trades (CAST) exam, workforce readiness and technical skill development for overhead, underground, transmission and substation operations. Additionally, participants receive valuable certifications, including OSHA, Flagger, and CPR/first aid safety.

 Previous graduates have continued to grow their skills on the job and advance to new positions. 

"In my previous job, I focused on customer service but had limited opportunities to advance," says Pepco Apprentice Line Mechanic and former DCIA graduate, Daniel Ledesma. "DCIA helped me acquire new skills to support a move to a different field. Since graduating and taking on a full-time position with Pepco, I have been able to work on critical infrastructure projects and continue my development. I've already achieved my first promotion and am excited for what will come next."

Graduates from the program have the opportunity for careers with Pepco or one of the company's many contractors of choice who have signed on to support the program, including Aldridge Electric, Anchor Construction, AUI Power, BF Joy Construction, Clearsight, CW & Sons, Dynamic Concepts Inc, Execupower, Flippo Construction, Fort Myer Construction, Hydrochem/Clean Harbors, Quantum Crossings, Utility Line Construction Services-Asplundh, and W.A. Chester. The program is also made possible through ongoing partnerships with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1900 and IBEW Local 70.  

For more information about DCIA, visit dcia.dc.gov. To see stories from past DCIA graduates, visit The Source, Pepco's online newsroom.