Programs
Our innovative programs directly help young people build family-sustaining careers, create personal wealth, and drive economic growth.
These programs include CareerWise DC and a new healthcare initiative, DC HEAL, as well as support for our partners’ innovative efforts, such as Aon and ASU Local. More info about our programs and partnerships below.
CareerWise DC
CareerWise DC is an intensive, 2,000 hour modern youth apprenticeship program that prepares D.C. high schoolers and recent high school graduates for competitive, high-wage careers in occupations such as business operations, healthcare, information technology, and finance. CareerWise DC launched in 2020 with the support of the Federal City Council with 14 youth apprentices, 4 high schools, and 6 employers. Today, CareerWise DC is supporting more than 90 current and former apprentices through partnerships with 15 high schools and more than 20 employers.
Interested employer or school partner?
Contact our programs team about hiring apprentices.
Former Database Administration Apprentice Denita Jefferson (middle) celebrated her apprenticeship graduation with her Freddie Mac supervisor Savita Laddha (left) and CareerWise DC’s Noemi Almodovar Venkatraj (right)
Former Accenture Apprentices, Dellano Bernard Jr. and Ja'Nae Massey
CareerWise DC adds new cohorts of apprentices each year.
Young people are trained—and paid—to do meaningful work while building a supportive professional network and earning debt-free college credit and/or nationally-recognized industry certifications.
Employers build a local, diverse talent pipeline for hard-to-fill positions, increase employee retention, lower recruiting costs, and increase productivity.
CareerWise DC is an “options multiplier” for DC youth - giving them a head start in their career and postsecondary pursuits beginning in or just after high school.
DC HEAL
In School Year 2025-26 with the DC Hospital Association, CareerWise DC launched our first healthcare apprenticeship program, District of Columbia Health Care Employment & Apprenticeship Link (DC HEAL). Focused on recent DC public high school graduates, DC HEAL is building a sustainable talent pipeline that meets the evolving needs of the city’s health care sector through apprenticeship.
Meet Our Apprentices
Jubei Brown-Weaver, CareerWise DC ‘23
Jubei started as an Accenture apprentice in high school, and now works as a full-time employee at the company as a Packaged App Developer.
Leah Sloan, CareerWise DC ‘23
Leah continued working in her apprenticeship during college, and now as a University of Maryland graduate, she now works full-time applying her passion for supporting young people in creating their professional journey.
Axel Orellana, CareerWise DC ‘26
Axel started his apprenticeship after high school and is currently pursuing his degree at UDC while working as a full-time employee.
CareerWise DC’s Hiring Hub
CityWorks DC’s CareerWise Hiring Hub connects applicants to apprenticeship roles. Designed to connect young adults and career seekers with meaningful career-connected learning pathways, the portal allows users to browse available apprenticeships across various industries, including health care. Through CareerWise, applicants can learn about program requirements, submit applications, and track their progress in one streamlined location. It serves as the primary gateway to CityWorks DC’s network of employer partners and training providers, making it easier to access apprenticeships that lead to high-quality, upwardly mobile careers in the Washington, DC region.
CareerWise DC Network of Employers:
Accenture
Amazon
Apprenticeships for America
Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center
Children’s National
Clark Construction
Enlightened, Inc.
Federal City Council
Forest Hills of DC
Freddie Mac
Gensler
Limbic Systems
New America
Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home
Whitman-Walker Health
Our Partner Programs
Aon Apprenticeship
Aon is a leading global professional services firm that provides risk, retirement, and health solutions, and their apprenticeship program partners with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) to offer an Associate of Arts degree while apprentices gain hands-on experience in the insurance and risk management industry. CityWorks DC provides wrap-around services and coaching to Aon apprentices to ensure meaningful early-career learning outcomes. Eligible participants must be DC residents, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and meet UDC's admission requirements.
Contact Jerelle Jenkins, CityWorks DC Senior Manager of Program & Partnerships, to learn more.
CityWorks DC’s Jerelle Jenkins (center) celebrates with Aon Apprentice Graduates Dina Sosa Cruz (left) and Maxine Mills (right) who completed the two-year Aon program while also earning their AA degree from UDC
ASU Local DC
ASU Local DC is an undergraduate program from Arizona State University designed specifically for young people who need to work full-time, care for family members, or manage other significant responsibilities while pursuing their education. Created to provide an affordable, flexible, and powerful degree option with initial funding support from CityWorks DC, the program brings the best of a global research university to Washington, D.C. through a close-knit, in-person community where dedicated coaches guide students throughout their college journey. Students choose from 130+ online majors to complete coursework anytime, anywhere while earning a highly-ranked bachelor's degree. Depending on your location and eligibility, you may also qualify for additional financial support. Washington, D.C. students may access D.C. TAG, which helps cover tuition costs.
ASU Local DC's First Graduate Adria Patterson (right) with her mom Anise Walker (left)
It is the policy of CityWorks DC to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by applicable law.