DC Talent Pipeline Toolkit
A talent pipeline is a key product of a system that reliably and intentionally prepares graduates of education and training programs for success in good jobs within a local economy.
When we have a local talent pipeline, the diverse graduates of DC’s schools and training programs will be consistently hired into good jobs, allowing them to support themselves in DC or a neighboring economy. In collaboration with partners from government, education, industry, direct student service providers, philanthropy, and community organizations, we have created resources designed to support educators, employers, service providers, and partners in establishing and sustaining a diverse, local talent pipeline in DC. The first resources included in this toolkit focus on high-quality work-based learning, a foundational element of a strong, regional, diverse talent pipeline. Partners from government agencies, employer groups, non-profit providers, and philanthropic organizations collaboratively developed these materials. We will update these resources and add more to the toolkit over time. Please contact us with questions, feedback, or suggestions for additional resources.
Resource
Audience
Description
Educators, Employers, Partners, & Service Providers
High-quality, work-based learning is a foundational element of a strong, local, diverse talent pipeline; through this spectrum of opportunities, youth become more prepared to succeed in a career. These agreed-upon work-based learning definitions provide a common understanding and shared language for DC stakeholders and ensure that practitioners and policy-makers are all working from the same set of expectations as we strive to ensure that all DC youth have access to high-quality work-based learning.
Employers
Employers can use this framework to understand which work-based learning opportunities align with your desired goals and capacity to engage. For more information on good-fit partners ready to partner with you on this opportunity, refer to the Hire Local DC Call to Action Resource.
Educators, Partners, & Service Providers
The Work-Based Learning (WBL) Framework illustrates the value of high-quality WBL, the essential distinctions between types of WBL, and examples of each. The Framework can be used by educators, service providers, and partners to align on key concepts and language, effectively support youth in navigating the complex career-connected opportunities available in DC, determine the best fit, and understand what excellence looks like. Employers can find a WBL Framework tailored to them here. Educators and service providers can find a detailed High-Quality WBL Rubric here.
Educators, Partners, & Service Providers
The High-Quality Work-Based Learning (WBL) Rubric provides a comprehensive understanding of the essential elements of high-quality WBL activities and programs. This rubric can serve as a tool to help educators, service providers, and partners effectively support and assess the quality of new and existing WBL programs and activities. Links to examples or actionable tools are throughout the document, and there will be additions over time.
Educators, Employers, Partners, & Service Providers
This Resource is intended to summarize the most essential job readiness standards identified by DC area hospitality employers for entry-level candidates for full-time jobs and apprenticeships, and identify potential sources of evidence that candidates should have available to demonstrate their job readiness to prospective employers.
Educators, Employers, Partners, & Service Providers
This Resource is intended to summarize the most essential job readiness standards identified by DC area construction employers for entry-level candidates for full-time jobs and apprenticeships, and identify potential sources of evidence that candidates should have available to demonstrate their job readiness to prospective employers.