Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Alternative Plans topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Advocates urge standard alternative-plan guidance and long-term training to turn First Source into career pipelines
Summary
Nonprofit and policy witnesses urged clearer, standardized approval criteria and robust training pipelines so alternative plans become a path to sustained careers rather than short-term hires; Federal City Council and DC Policy Center recommended published frameworks, approved provider lists, outcome data and annual labor-need analyses.
Tanya Brodschi of the Federal City Council and Amelia Nakalma of the DC Policy Center told the committee that First Source’s alternative-plan process is opaque and inconsistent and that the law currently emphasizes short-term hiring rather than career pathways. "First Source is designed for jobs and not careers," Brodschi said, calling for a published guidance framework, timelines for alternative-plan approval, and an approved list of training providers.
Amelia Nakalma presented data pointing to weak outcomes from many existing First Source agreements: "Between January and June of 2024, there were 335 1st source employment agreements executed for construction projects in the district. Unfortunately, this resulted in only 78 new jobs, only 41 of which went to DC residents," she said. Witnesses recommended annual analyses to identify skilled-trade shortages, more transparent alternative-plan criteria tied to measurable training outcomes, and recognition or partial credit for regional hiring and promotions that help retain residents.
