Events DC Announces Comprehensive Hospitality Jobs Training Program to Ready the District's Workforce for the Washington Marriott Marquis

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, announced the launch of the Washington Marriott Marquis Jobs Training Program in collaboration with Goodwill of Greater Washington and a coalition of community-based organizations.  This jobs-training initiative will prepare and train up to 600 District residents for jobs with the new Washington Marriott Marquis, scheduled to open in May 2014. 

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Goodwill of Greater Washington has been awarded this grant for workforce development and will lead this collaborative training effort with United Way of the National Capital Area, the University of the District of Columbia Community College, Progressive Partners, LLC, GROW LLC, the OMG Center for Collaborative Learning and other District-based organizations.  The purpose of the grant is to select a workforce intermediary to recruit, prepare, train, and refer new hotel employees in cooperation with Marriott International, Inc. 

"Through initiatives like the Washington Marriott Marquis Jobs Training Program, not only are we delivering jobs and economic development for the District, but we are inspiring and mentoring individuals with career and life-skills training," said District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray.  "These opportunities are priceless for our residents– helping individuals to kick start a new professional life, while reinventing a career in hospitality for others."

The Washington Marriott Marquis jobs-training initiative will feature free comprehensive career and personal skills curriculum.  Upon program completion, the Marriott Marquis will have a variety of hospitality job openings, ranging from front desk, cashiers, hosts and cooks to housekeeping, stewards, servers, security and more. 

"Launching this jobs-training program creates a synergy between Events DC, Goodwill of Greater Washington, their community partners and the Washington Marriott Marquis – a team effort that will drive the creation of job opportunities and lasting economic benefits for the District and its residents," said Gregory A. O'Dell, president and CEO of Events DC.  "We eagerly look forward to the opening of the Washington Marriott Marquis.  The hotel's impact will extend beyond the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, to residents across all corners of the city, ultimately raising the profile of Washington, DC as destination."

"Goodwill of Greater Washington is honored to have been selected by Events DC to lead the administration and execution of this jobs-training program for the Washington Marriott Marquis, with the outcome being career-entry positions for residents of the District of Columbia," said Catherine Meloy, president and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Washington.  "All of the program partners will be joined by many other community non-profits to help recruit, train and place the most qualified staff at the new Convention Center hotel.  Events DC and Marriott International, Inc. had a vision for the Washington Marriott Marquis to be a hotel for the city, serviced by people of the city.  How fortunate we all are to play a part in creating the reality of this vision."

Scheduled to open in May 2014, the 1,175-room, 49-suite Washington Marriott Marquis at 901 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, will complement the adjacent Walter E. Washington Convention Center. For more information on the Marriott Marquis, visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasco-washington-marriott-marquis/.

Recruitment for the Washington Marriott Marquis Jobs Training Program will open on Thursday, August 29. Following enrollment, the Jobs Training Program will begin in December 2013 and end in late March 2014.  For more information on the Jobs Training Program and enrollment requirements, visit www.hospitality.dcgoodwill.org. 

Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation's capital.  Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District's hospitality and tourism economy that generated more than $3.3 billion in direct attendee spending in its first decade (2003-2013), and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC also manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium.  In addition, Events DC built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com.

Goodwill of Greater Washington
Goodwill of Greater Washington's mission is to transform lives and communities through the power of education and employment.  It funds that mission through diverse lines of business including custodial, pest control and grounds maintenance operations as well as its chain of retail stores that sell donated goods.

DC Goodwill pays all of its associates above both local and federal minimum wage standards.  82% of its Ability One employees have a severe disability yet are paid a starting minimum wage of almost $12 an hour.

Contacts:
Chinyere Hubbard; 202-439-5133
[email protected]

Ashley Forrester; 202-439-7109
[email protected]

SOURCE Events DC