Building Futures hailed as “gold standard”

"It seems that (Building Futures is) the gold standard, what will it take for you to scale up?" asked DC City Council member Elissa Silverman at last week’s meeting of the Council’s Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. Building Futures, the Metro Washington Council Community Services Agency's pre-apprenticeship program, was highlighted numerous times during the hearing as an example of partnerships that work. The program is a high performer with an average 83% placement rate in the city. CSA Client Services Coordinator Sylvia Casaro Dietert, testified in support of updating the city's 1984 First Source Law. "It's all about coordinating relationships with labor, their signatory contractors, government agencies, foundations and community service providers,” said Casaro Dietert. “It's about joining efforts to help DC residents overcome challenges and meet career goals." Building Futures uses the AFL-CIO-sponsored Construction Multicraft Core Curriculum, and offers case management and referrals to community partners as well as a pathway to union apprenticeships and jobs with follow-up support.