About us
Built with the District, not just for it
Skills Nation is run by the DC Department of Employment Services with a network of employers, training providers and community organizations — and in 2024 that network became the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium.
Why we exist
A partnership, not a program list
At DC DOES, we are committed to helping residents find meaningful employment and career opportunities. Our success is built on strong partnerships with a wide range of organizations, all dedicated to supporting workforce development and economic growth in our city. Together, we are creating pathways to success for our community.
In 2024, we established the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium, a groundbreaking initiative designed to further these goals. Founded as a Next Generation Sector Partnership by the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services and convened by BuildWithin, this Consortium represents a bold step forward in our mission to bridge the gap between local talent and market needs.
By the numbers
What the District has built
Eight programs, one network, and a Consortium that did not exist three years ago.
- 8 programs Training, apprenticeships and job matching, all run through DOES.
- 2024 Consortium founded A Next Generation Sector Partnership, convened by BuildWithin.
- 25 seniors in the first cohort Pathways to Public Service, placed with DC agencies and DC Water.
- 22 weeks to a credential The Pharmacy Technician route, ending at the national board exam.
Common questions
What people ask us
If your question is not here, the team answers every message.
Who can join a Skills Nation program?
Every route is for District residents, and the age floor moves with the program. The Pre-Apprenticeship and the Out-of-School Program start at 16; the IT Accelerator and the College Fellowship start at 18. Pathways to Public Service asks apprentices to establish DC residency within 180 days of hire.
How long does a program take?
Anywhere from a few weeks to a year. The Pre-Apprenticeship typically runs two to six weeks. The Pharmacy Technician Program runs 22 weeks. The Youth Apprenticeship runs about six months, from late January or early February to early June. Pathways to Public Service is a year-long apprenticeship that ends in full-time employment.
Do I need experience or a degree?
It depends on the route, and for most of them the answer is no. Most IT Accelerator courses need no prior tech experience at all. The Pharmacy Technician Program asks for a high school diploma or GED — or a board-approved exam — along with 12th-grade CASAS reading and math scores. The College Fellowship is the one that requires a degree: an undergraduate degree earned within the last two years.
Do these programs cost anything, and do any of them pay?
Every program is free to DC residents, and several of them pay you while you train. The College Fellowship is the clearest example: 25 to 30 hours a week of part-time employment at $25.00 an hour, alongside on-the-job training, mentorship and professional development.
What do I have at the end?
A credential, a job, or both, depending on where you started. The Pharmacy Technician Program ends with a Certificate of Completion and a DC Pharmacy Technician Trainee license, and leaves you eligible to sit the national board exam. Pathways apprentices move into full-time employment at Grade 11 Step 1. Job Matching connects you straight to District employers who are hiring.
Can my organization become a partner?
Yes. Employers, training providers and community organizations all sit in this network. You can apply to the Apprenticeship Sponsor Incentive, apply to receive training funds, join the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium, or simply ask to learn more — the form on the Partners page covers all four.
Two ways in
Find the program that fits, or bring your organization into the network behind them.
Get in touch
Talk to the team behind it
Not sure which program fits, or stuck partway through an application? Send us a message and we'll point you at the right person.