In January 2011 the unemployment rate in D.C. was recorded at 10.1%. This unemployment rate has remained steady yet at the same time D.C. had a gain of 2,000 jobs in January. In a recent Washington Post article, Washington D.C. was named the second best place in the United States to get a job. Interestingly, D.C. adds thousands of new jobs to the market, but no change is seen in the unemployment rate of Washingtonians. How is it possible that the second best place to get a job in the United States, that is steady increasing job opportunities in the market not have any decrease in unemployment with its residents? Where are all of the jobs going? While the District’s unemployment rate was static both Maryland and Virginia had a decrease in unemployed residents. When comparing this stat with the amount of traffic headed into to D.C. on any given work day it is evident that all of these new jobs in D.C. are going to nonresidents of the District. Now no one is blaming D.C. unemployment on its neighboring states, but the question is can D.C. residents compete for these new jobs in the market. There are a handful of reasons as to why many D.C. residents are unable to attain and sustain employment.
Education, The lack of educational skills keeps many D.C. residents from achieving their employment goals. Several programs throughout the District area work everyday to help residents reach academic success. Students that attend these programs begin at levels varying from below basic literacy skills to college ready learners. At the last fair budget coalition meeting Budget Director for the Mayor Eric Goulet stated the importance of community colleges in providing adult education. What Goulet fails to realize is the necessary efforts it takes to make a quality adult education program and the amount of time It takes many students to achieve their academic success. The average student spends two years in an adult education program. These programs need staff, teaching resources, volunteers, and space in order to be successful. The Mayor’s office feels that cuts to the Adult Education field will be acceptable because community colleges can provide adult education to all those in need. Given the number of D.C. residents that are striving to attain their GED and the varying educational levels of these individuals, it is irrational to believe that all needs could be served at a community college. The current Adult Education, Family Literacy, and English as a Second Language programs have achieved great success with D.C. residents. These programs are critical to the development of our community now and for future generations.
Education is a large portion of what is necessary to attain employment, but in order to maintain employment additional factors are needed. One of the big pushes in Adult literacy is also ensuring that learners are developing the necessary skills to not only get a job, but also to sustain employment. Sustaining employment includes ensuring that individuals have access to childcare, healthcare, workforce development, housing and transportation. All of these human service programs are up for budget cuts this year. These cuts may be beneficial to the District’s debt, but not D.C. residents. Without these services unemployment in D.C. will be static and available jobs will continue to go to Maryland and Virginia residents.
What can we do? Beginning in April the Council will hold public hearings on the FY 2012 proposed budget and financial plan, the “Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request Act of 2011”, and the “Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Support Act of 2011.” The hearings will begin Thursday, April 7, and conclude on Friday, May 6, 2011. If you are an advocate for education in the District like my partner and I, you should make note of the April 20, 2011 District of Columbia Public Schools hearing and May 4, 2011 Office of the State Superintendent for Education hearing. If you are interested in testifying about the performance of any of the agencies you may contact Priscilla McIver, Committee of the Whole at 202.724.8196 or email pford@dccouncil.us. A complete listing of the hearings can be found on the Council website at http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/budgetreviewschedule
-Krystal
Additional Resources:
http://www.dclibrary.org/services/adult
http://www.fairbudget.org/
http://www.dclabor.org/
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