November marked yet another milestone for our partnership with the DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) as the 7th cohort of participants celebrated their graduation surrounded by family and friends. The DCIA Pepco Utility Training Program provides District residents with high-quality, specialized trainings and programs to prepare them for careers in the energy and utility field.
This cohort, which began training in August 2021, hit several notable milestones, including welcoming five female graduates – the highest number of female graduates since the start of the program – and it saw its highest level of graduation at 95 percent. All 18 graduates have received or are on track to receive employment offers from Pepco or one of our contractors of choice, including Aldridge Electric, Anchor Construction, AUI Power, BF Joy, CW & Sons, Dynamic Concepts, Inc., Fort Myer Construction, HydroChemPSC, Quantum Crossings and Utility Line Construction Services-Asplundh. Six graduates have already received employment opportunities with Pepco as apprentice secondary line mechanics.
“The DCIA Pepco Utility Training program challenged and prepared me to start my career as a lineman. It required commitment, dedication, and responsibility but I am so proud to graduate and be able to take care of my family moving forward,” said Tyler Muhammad, a 2021 DCIA graduate and Pepco apprentice secondary line mechanic.
Despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continued our commitment with DCIA to shape future careers and help ensure job creation and long-term career pathways are readily available for District residents. We recognize the importance of the infrastructure program and the benefits it brings to the community and our future Pepco workforce, especially in the areas we serve. In fact, 90 percent of the graduates in this most recent cohort represent Wards 7 and 8 and, to this day, the program has graduated 123 local residents.
Interested in joining the DC Infrastructure Academy for a future utility career? Click here to learn more and sign up for further information.