Mayor Bowser Opens New DC Infrastructure Academy at Historic Spingarn High School

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser joined the Department of Employment Services (DOES) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) to cut the ribbon on the new DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) at the former Spingarn High School campus in Ward 5. The DC Infrastructure Academy, supported through DOES, builds on the Bowser Administration's efforts to connect more DC residents to training and career opportunities in the infrastructure industry. Today, more than 6,500 District residents have come through DCIA's doors since launch. With this new facility, DCIA will be able to serve more residents, expand its training programs and prepare more people for good paying careers in high demand fields.

"When we launched the DC Infrastructure Academy in 2018, we had a simple goal: make sure DC residents were first in line for the good paying careers being created in some of the most in-demand industries," said Mayor Bowser. "Over the past eight years, we have watched thousands of Washingtonians come through these programs, gain new skills, get hired and build careers that can support their families. With this new facility, we can expand opportunities and build on that momentum."

The new facility includes 50,000-square-feet of renovated interior space and 12,000-square-feet of exterior training space. The facility features an automotive lab, instructional and training rooms, a Pepco training yard, flexible outdoor work areas, a north courtyard terrace and a new main entrance.

"We are beyond excited to open the new DC Infrastructure Academy at Spingarn, which allows us to build on DOES' long-standing commitment to training District residents and helping them build brighter futures," said Department of Employment Services Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes. "Opening this new facility is more than a construction milestone, it is the next chapter of expanding the District's ability to strengthen our talent pipeline, prepare graduates to meet the workforce needs of a rapidly changing economy and serve as a critical part of a District resident's path to economic mobility."

The new automotive bays will allow students to gain hands on experience working with large vehicles, such as Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) buses.

"Metro is proud to partner with the DC Infrastructure Academy to help prepare the next generation of skilled workers who will keep our region moving safely and reliably," said Metro Chief Infrastructure Officer Theresa Impastato. "Across the industry, there is growing demand for talent with specialized technical and mechanical skills, and too few workers have the training and hands-on experience needed to fill those roles. This new facility will help more District residents access career pathways in a high-demand field while strengthening the workforce that Metro depends on to serve our community."

This new DCIA campus reflects a shared commitment to creating spaces that foster skill development, opportunity and community growth.

"For 15 years, DGS has been building what matters for DC residents, and I can't think of a better way to kick off our 15th anniversary than with a facility designed to create opportunity," said DGS Director Delano Hunter. "The projects we build do more than change the physical landscape of our city. They create opportunities, strengthen communities and, in this case, can change the trajectory of someone's life. We are proud to give the historic Spingarn campus a new chapter that will help DC residents build theirs too."

Since DCIA opened in 2018, the program has built partnerships with DC Water, Pepco, Washington Gas, WMATA and other employers to help connect residents to jobs. In Fiscal Year 2027, DCIA will welcome its 20th Pepco training group. More than 300 participants have graduated from DCIA's Pepco training program alone, with 95% securing employment.

"Since 2016, Pepco has partnered with the DC Infrastructure Academy to help DC residents build careers and strengthen our communities," said Rodney Oddoye, Chief Operating Officer for Pepco Holdings. "The Spingarn campus continues that work by connecting residents with hands-on training and real job opportunities in growing industries. We are proud to continue supporting DCIA and applaud Mayor Bowser's leadership in expanding economic opportunity across the District."

DCIA will maintain its presence at Shannon Place SE in Ward 8 where IT and cybersecurity training programs will continue. Today marks the final stage of the $74 million Spingarn renovation project. Residents looking for in-demand careers in construction, energy, telecommunications and other critical fields are encouraged to explore opportunities with the DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) by visiting dcia.dc.gov.

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