Spring Sprint Jobs Challenge 100 Skills-Based Hires in 100 Days

Coalition Effort to Fill High-Growth Jobs

In a collaborative effort, BuildWithin, the DC Tech & Venture Coalition (DCTAV), the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES), WE Strategies, the Penn West Equity and Innovation District alongside numerous partners, have launched the Spring Sprint Jobs Challenge. This initiative, focusing on a "skills-first" strategy and employing AI technology, seeks to effectively match DC residents' skills with job opportunities in the region.

Launched during the DC Tech Meet-up at the MLK Jr. Memorial Public Library, the Spring Sprint Jobs Challenge aims to jumpstart the hiring season, filling 100 positions in 100 days. The initiative combines digital pre-matching with a final in-person event for employers and candidates to interview, significantly easing the recruitment effort for employers. Quickly proving its worth, the challenge has engaged over 150 local residents and seven local businesses, culminating in 10 successful hires.

Kevin Morgan, Founder and Executive Director of the DC Tech & Venture Coalition, pointed out the acute need for talent in the tech sector, saying, "Tech companies, especially startups, cannot afford lengthy recruitment processes. An unfilled position is a step back."

With the high demand for technology and cybersecurity professionals and thousands of roles remaining unfilled, the Spring Sprint Jobs Challenge aims to bridge this gap by connecting skilled candidates with the roles that need them. Pete Kirschner from BuildWithin stated, "This initiative is about aligning ambitious, skilled candidates with the jobs that can benefit from their capabilities."

The initiative included a "meet your match" event, which Carlington Barnett, General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Washington DC/U.S. Capital, commended for the high-quality candidate matches, making it one of the most successful events they have ever hosted.

Dr. Unique Morris Hughes, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, emphasized the strategic value of this initiative, "This is about leveraging our local talent to meet our employers' needs. We have a pool of untapped potential ready to make an immediate impact."

Cedric Thompson, CEO of WE Strategies, reflected on the collaborative nature of the initiative. "Our joint effort with local employers and cutting-edge technology is crucial for placing DC residents into roles that offer growth."

Employers and job seekers interested in the Spring Sprint Jobs Challenge are invited to register at https://jobs.buildwithin.io/welcome.

About BuildWithin

BuildWithin is the solution for skills-driven innovation, committed to empowering organizations and employers in addressing workforce challenges. Our comprehensive approach blends cutting-edge proprietary technology with top-tier services, customized to meet the specific workforce needs of employers and organizations. Guided by a seasoned team with over a decade of experience in managing tech sector apprenticeships, BuildWithin excels in establishing skills-driven innovation approaches across various sectors. Learn more at www.BuildWithin.com.

About The DC Tech & Venture Coalition (DCTAV)

The DC Tech & Venture Coalition (DCTAV) is a coalition of tech executives and founders, active tech investors, and ecosystem leaders working to make DC the world’s best city for tech and venture. Learn more at https://DCTAV.co.

About Penn West

The Penn West Equity and Innovation District in Washington, D.C., is an inclusive, collaborative innovation hub for big ideas and groundbreaking technology dedicated to solving for a more sustainable, equitable and vibrant future for everyone. Through a dynamic group of partner entities including the Golden Triangle BID, The George Washington University (GW), DC government, and the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), Penn West aims to become the world’s premier destination for uniting technology with public policy, equity, and social impact. For more information, visit pennwestinnovation.com.

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