With the snip of a ribbon, a new chapter in workforce development began at the historic Spingarn High School campus in Northeast Washington, D.C.

Mayor Muriel Bowser joined District leaders, community partners and employers for the grand opening of the new DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) at Spingarn. The renovated campus will serve as DCIA’s central location for transportation, energy, automotive and other career-training programs, giving more residents access to practical skills and pathways to in-demand jobs.

Pepco Holdings Chief Operating Officer Rodney Oddoye helped mark the milestone alongside the Mayor and other partners. In his remarks, Oddoye reflected on Pepco’s partnership with DCIA, which began in 2016 with a shared goal: help District residents gain the skills, experience and connections needed to build lasting careers in energy and infrastructure.

One Graduate’s Journey Comes Full Circle 

For Pepco engineer Akeem Washington, the celebration was also personal. Washington welcomed guests to the ceremony as a DCIA graduate and as an example of where the right opportunity can lead. He joined Pepco in 2024 as a cable splicer helper and later moved into an engineering role as a distribution designer. 

Washington’s path from training to a career at Pepco puts a face on the promise of workforce development. It shows how hands-on instruction, support from industry partners and access to real job opportunities can help residents build a future while strengthening the local workforce that serves their neighbors. 

More than 300 District residents have graduated from the DCIA Pepco Utility Training Program, and 120 graduates have been hired by Pepco. Many others have gone on to careers across the energy and utility industry or continued their education and advanced their skills through additional training. Those numbers represent more than program milestones, they represent people gaining skills, supporting their families and helping power their communities.

Building Skills and Stronger Communities 

The Spingarn campus brings classroom learning, hands-on experience and connections to employers together in one place. The site also includes a recently completed Pepco training yard, where participants can build familiarity with the equipment and skills used in utility careers.

For customers, investments like these help create a strong local pipeline of skilled workers who understand the communities they serve. That matters as Pepco continues modernizing the energy system, maintaining reliable service and preparing for the region’s changing energy needs. 

From career training in the District to STEM education, community partnerships and workforce development programs across Maryland, Pepco is committed to creating opportunities that make a difference beyond the local energy grid. By working with government, educators, community organizations and residents, the company is helping build stronger neighborhoods and a workforce ready to power what comes next. 

The ribbon at Spingarn may have been cut in a moment, but the opportunities created there can last a lifetime.