Dr. Erin Ward Bibo: Public Testimony Before the Committee of the Whole
Good afternoon Chairman Mendelson, Committee Members, and staff. My name is Erin Bibo, and I am Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at CityWorks DC, whose mission is to dramatically improve the early career outcomes of DC youth and young adults of color by creating innovative programs and mobilizing employers, educators, and city leaders to develop a local, diverse talent pipeline. I’m also a Ward 6 resident and parent of a Banneker Achiever, an Eliot-Hine Eagle, and a Maury Cougar.
I am here to support and express gratitude for the District’s continued investments to prepare our residents for good jobs and create a local talent pipeline on which our employers can confidently rely. Here is what I’m most excited about in FY26:
The DME’s Compact 2043 identifies and commits to tackling the most essential enabling conditions needed to establish and strengthen our city’s local talent pipeline. It will continue to serve as a North Star for this work for years to come.
OSSE- funded adult Integrated Education & Training Programs have done a fantastic job leveraging feedback from Hire Local DC industry leaders to inform and improve their curriculum, work-based learning offerings, and student coaching. The nimble responses to industry feedback from organizations including United Planning Organization, CC-Prep, Catholic Charities, YouthBuild Public Charter School, CSOSA, LAYC-Career Academy, Next Step Public Charter School, UDC’s Workforce Development & Lifelong Learning division, and So Others Might Eat have led to significant increases in candidate job offers over time. As our region’s employment market is flooded with educated and credentialed individuals who have been laid off from Federal or Federal-adjacent jobs, these adult serving institutions need more support than ever before.
The Office of Education Through Employment Pathways data system has for the first time linked data from five agencies to help policymakers, educators, workforce professionals, and the public understand the impacts of publicly funded education, workforce, and social service programs on employment and earnings.
In addition to the foundational research briefs produced by the ETEP Office, e.g. assessing the alignment of labor market demand and UDC degree programs, the ETEP system is also working to produce public and school facing dashboards so that stakeholders can understand the impact of different programs and pathways on college graduation, employment, and earnings.
The Advanced Technical Center opened its Ward 8 campus, offering college courses and credential-bearing pathways in nursing and cybersecurity in partnership with Trinity Washington University. CityWorks DC, the DC Hospital Association, and OSSE launched the first health care apprenticeship program - DC HEAL - for recent high school graduates. This is exactly the type of Career Asset Building opportunities our students need.
Leaders from the city’s education and workforce agencies (OSSE, DOES, DCPS, WIC, UDC) have actively engaged in the Hire Local DC industry-led sector partnerships, which we co-convene with the Federal City Council, in construction and hospitality. Since Fall 2023, 6 Hire Local DC hiring events have led to over 535 local residents with job offers or advancements to the final round of interviews. The partnership has activated over 85 employers, and over 75 education and training providers to achieve a goal of local industries meeting their hiring needs with qualified, local talent.
Thank you for your continued leadership and support of important Career Pathways investments for our District, its residents, and industry. I’m happy to take any questions.