By Elinor Bacon
The Wharf encourages DC residents, particularly residents of Southwest DC and Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8, to take advantage of current construction jobs, apprenticeship, and training opportunities at The Wharf. Three construction companies – Balfour-Beatty, Donohoe Construction, and DPR Construction – are constructing six new buildings as part of the second phase of The Wharf in Southwest.
In January 2020, Hoffman-Madison Waterfront, the developer of The Wharf, partnered with its prime contractors and subcontractors, the DC Housing Authority (DCHA), ANC6D, the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, and others to host a construction Job Fair at the DCHA Family Enhancement Center. Over 700 DC residents attended the job fair, including 100 residents of Southwest DC.
Participants met with hiring managers of The Wharf contractors and subcontractors, representatives of the Department of Employment Services, pre-apprenticeship training partner Building Futures, and with non-profit partners that provide support to DC residents seeking jobs. These representatives explained the kinds of jobs and training available to participants, and helped them sign up for jobs, apprenticeships, and training.
To date, 267 DC residents have secured jobs and 37 DC residents have secured apprenticeships during Phase 2 construction of The Wharf. Hoffman-Madison Waterfront urges other DC residents seeking opportunities in the construction field to apply directly to The Wharf Phase 2 contractors and training entities.
To apply for a job, visit The Wharf jobs website – www.wharfdc.com/jobs – and follow the links to the prime contractors’ and subcontractors’ hiring websites for information. To sign up for a pre-apprenticeship training program operated by Building Futures, with new classes starting regularly, visit www.wharfdc.com/building-futures or contact Sylvia Casaro (scasaro@dclabor.org or 202-506-0398).
Another source for life skills and pre-apprenticeship/construction training East of the River, is the Skyland Workforce Center (skylandworkforcecenter.org, 202-793-2141). Finally, DC residents seeking jobs should register with the Department of Employment Services (www.dcnetworks.org), which connects employers with qualified job candidates, and helps job seekers find jobs.
So far, including Phase 1, a total of 895 DC residents have been employed in the construction of The Wharf (51% of total hires); 300 DC residents (57% of total) have worked as apprentices. With more than one and a half years of construction until the project is complete, Hoffman-Madison Waterfront and its partners are working to assure that DC residents are aware of and know how to take advantage of opportunities to participate in building The Wharf. For general information contact Elinor Bacon at The Wharf, ebacon@erbacondevelopment.com.