“Unions in the Metropolitan Washington area are taking the lead in creating a broad partnership for workforce and economic development. CareerPath is an excellent example of how local government, unions and union employers can work together to help workers obtain higher skills and better jobs and employers become more successful.

Joslyn Williams President, Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO

What We Do

The Metropolitan Washington CareerPath Project seeks to train and place dislocated workers and other clients in well-paying union jobs while also helping incumbent workers upgrade their skills.

Operated by the Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO’s Community Services Agency, the initiative is the first of its kind in the region in which a local government, unions and union employers have joined forces in one location to address the needs of displaced workers. With headquarters in the new A. Philip Randolph Worker Center, CareerPath serves workers, unions and area employers by assessing, counseling, training and placing workers in family-sustaining jobs.

How We Got Started

CareerPath was launched in the summer of 2001 in response to the closing of D.C. General Hospital and the loss of more than 1,500 jobs.

During its first year, CareerPath provided services to more than 300 former D.C. General Hospital workers and met its intial goal of placing 160 displaced workers into new jobs. In October 2002, CareerPath expanded to help additional displaced and low-wage workers in other industries.

“This is the only One Stop Career Center in the country that is operated by a local job service agency and the AFL-CIO. Workers will find a diverse range of services offered by this extraordinary collaboration.”

Gregg Irish Director of the D.C. Department of Employment Services

Metropolitan Washington CareerPath Project Is Expanding

What Employers Are Saying About CareerPath

“Over the past year my working relationship with the Metropolitan Washington CareerPath Project has been excellent. The staff is very knowledgeable of our employment needs at Kaiser Permanente, and we are very interested in helping CareerPath candidates find challenging and gainful employment. I highly recommend that employers consider utilizing the services of CareerPath.”

Troy Green Employment Manager, Kaiser Permanente

“I really enjoy working with the members of the Metropolitan Washington Career- Path Project team. Their professionalism and attention to detail raise the standards in the industry.”

Linda Masters Employment Manager, Human Resources Children’s National Medical Center

“My experience with the CareerPath’s banquet server training program was memorable. I found students in both classes very eager to learn and they showed remarkable progress. To see so many people interested in improving themselves through additional job training gives me hope that the future of the catering business in the metropolitan area is secure.”

Bill Dunn Director of Banquets Marriott Wardman Park Hotel

How We Help Workers, Employers and Unions

CareerPath works with unions and area employers to identify occupations that are in demand and then develops training and placement programs to fill these jobs. CareerPath has developed specific programs to train and place workers in a number of industries including hospitality, health care and the building trades. CareerPath also finds direct placements for workers who already meet the skill standards of employers.

CareerPath helps workers:

• Improve their job skills
• Prepare for entrance into advanced training programs
• Find good jobs with family-sustaining wages and benefits

CareerPath helps employers:

• Find good employees who meet their skill requirements
• Develop programs to help meet future personnel needs
• Build labor-management partnerships for training and placement

CareerPath helps unions:

• Improve the long-term employability of their membership
• Develop programs that provide training and upgrading for union members
• Build labormanagement partnerships for training and placement

“Now that I have found CareerPath, even though I was laid off, I have an opportunity to complete my education and get a better-paying job.”

Bernice Legore former D.C. General Hospital housekeeper training to be a licensed practical nurse

Services for Displaced Workers

CareerPath offers many services to displaced workers and other clients including:

• Comprehensive assessment of skill levels, employment barriers and employment goals
• Individual counseling and career planning
• Basic computer and math training
• Development of learning, communication and interview skills
• Review of personal skills needed to retain a good job
• Preparation for unsubsidized employment or training
• Career track training
• Referrals for GED, external diploma and specialized occupational skills training
• Job placement assistance

Our Partners

CareerPath is grateful to its many partners including unions and union employers in the metropolitan Washington area and the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO, a federation of 175 local unions, which has supported CareerPath in many ways. The D.C. Department of Employment Services provides financial support to CareerPath and assists in the operations of the new A. Philip Randolph Worker Center and the D.C. One Stop Career Satellite Center at 6210 North Capitol Street. The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute also has provided technical assistance to CareerPath.

How to contact us

CareerPath is located in the new A. Philip Randolph Worker Center and D.C. One Stop Career Satellite Center.

Metropolitan Washington CareerPath Project
A. Philip Randolph Worker Center
6210 North Capitol Street, N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20011
(202) 576-6515
Fax: (202) 576-3262

Project Director: Louise Woodland

Joslyn Williams, President of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO
Kathleen McKirchy, Executive Director, Community Services Agency of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO