UDC NGICP Training Program--Opportunities and challenges facing NGICP program

Since 2016, University of the District of Columbia (UDC) has partnered with DC Water and Water Environment Federation (WEF) to implement workforce development training for unemployed and underemployed DC residents using the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP). As part of a larger shared effort across the District to develop skilled green workforce, NGICP helps the city to reach its sustainability goals, , which can be replicated in other cities. This paper explores the UDC NGICP workforce development program, including lessons learned through the implementation of the program in Washington DC. It presents the model created by UDC team from participants screening to job placement in Washington DC. It shares statistics and explains how the success rate dramatically improved. The hope is that these lessons will help other NGICP developers to enhance their performance and increase their success.