Good morning, Chairperson Bonds and Committee members. My name is MaKaila Eddings Quick, and I am a resident of Ward 7. I currently attend Trinity Washington University and work with the DC Action Youth Advisory Team, the DC Girls Coalition, and serve as an Advocates for Youth Community Cohort member. I have previously participated in the Department of Employment Services (DOES) Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) and the East of the River (EOTR) workforce program.
I am here today to emphasize the importance of paid, high-quality job training and career opportunities for young people in DC. Workforce development programs like SYEP provide critical opportunities to explore career options, gain experience, and learn new skills, but there are gaps that need to be addressed to ensure they truly set young people up for long-term success.
The Value of Workforce Development Programs
I participated in SYEP and the EOTR workforce program because they offered structured pathways to career exploration—something that young people in DC desperately need. The programs provided opportunities for occupational skills training, financial literacy, and work readiness training in fields like information technology, construction, and entrepreneurship.
However, while these programs introduced me to new career paths, I did not always feel they provided enough long-term support to help young people advance beyond the summer experience. If I had more opportunities, I would participate in paid, year-round programs, apprenticeships, and internships to continue developing my skills and preparing for my future career.
Right now, my career interests include entrepreneurship, media production, and community advocacy. I want to develop skills in digital content creation, business management, and public policy so that I can not only build my own career but also contribute to my community. Programs like SYEP are a great starting point, but there needs to be a stronger bridge between summer jobs and long-term career growth.
Challenges in Workforce Programs
Despite the benefits, several challenges make it difficult for young people to fully participate in these programs:
- Transportation: Getting to and from work sites can be a struggle, particularly for youth in Wards 7 and 8, where public transit is less accessible.
- Schedule conflicts: Many programs do not align well with school or other responsibilities, making participation difficult.
- Unresponsive staff at DOES: Communication issues make it hard for youth to navigate the system, get clear answers, or address concerns.
- Unsatisfying work sites: Some youth are placed in positions that do not match their interests or provide real skill-building experiences, leading to disengagement.
- Lack of updates: Information about job placements, wages, and program changes is often delayed or unclear, leaving youth uncertain about next steps.
- Unprepared or uncaring employers: Some SYEP employers do not fully understand or care about how they handle the youth working for them. This lack of guidance and support can make workplaces feel unwelcoming or even hostile, rather than being spaces for learning and growth.
To improve these programs, DOES needs to be more responsive, ensure better job placements, and communicate updates clearly and in a timely manner. Employers working with SYEP should also be held accountable for creating safe, positive, and structured work environments that truly benefit young workers.
The Impact of Workforce Development
These programs have positively impacted my life by helping me:
- Gain job experience: I learned how to work in professional settings, which gave me confidence in my abilities.
- Develop new skills: Through my work, I improved my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, which I use in both academic and personal projects.
- Clarify my career goals: The experience helped me realize what I enjoy and what I don’t, guiding me toward career paths I’m truly passionate about.
- Make informed choices about my education: I’ve chosen college courses and extracurricular activities that align with my career interests, thanks to what I learned in these programs.
However, while these experiences were valuable, they were not enough. DC needs to invest in workforce programs that offer ongoing career development, not just temporary summer jobs.
Recommendations for the DC Council
I urge the DC Council to take five key actions to improve workforce development in DC:
- Expand year-round paid workforce opportunities beyond SYEP so young people can gain continuous experience.
- Why? DC has a highly competitive job market, and long-term, consistent job experience will help young people become better-prepared job candidates when entering the workforce.
- Increase funding for paid apprenticeships and internships to provide career exposure in high-demand fields.
- Why? Many career fields require hands-on experience. Paid apprenticeships and internships would allow young people to build real-world skills and establish career connections.
- Improve transparency and accountability at DOES, ensuring better communication and follow-through.
- Why? Many youth miss out on opportunities due to delayed or unclear program updates. Better communication would allow youth to fully take advantage of available resources.
- Guarantee fair wages for SYEP participants, including increasing wages for 14- and 15-year-olds to at least $10/hr.
- Why? Youth workers contribute real value to their jobs and deserve to be fairly compensated. Higher wages would also encourage more participation and program retention.
- Address barriers such as transportation, childcare, and housing that prevent many youth from participating.
- Why? Without addressing these basic needs, many young people—especially those from low-income backgrounds—cannot fully participate in workforce programs, limiting their ability to gain experience and move forward in their careers.
If DC invested in paid, supportive workforce programs that include mentorship, mental health support, and career readiness resources, it would drastically improve economic outcomes for young people and strengthen the entire community. Ensuring fair wages is a key part of that investment. The Pay Our Youth a Fair Summer Wage Amendment Act of 2024 was originally introduced by Chairperson Bonds but was later taken up by another Councilmember. While it’s encouraging to see progress, wage fairness must remain a priority so that all youth workers are properly valued and compensated.
I appreciate the opportunity to share my perspective and experiences today and urge the Council to take action to ensure that all young people in DC have access to meaningful, well-paid workforce opportunities. The lack of timely updates—both direct and indirect—creates unnecessary barriers, making it harder for youth to fully benefit from these programs. Addressing these issues will strengthen our workforce system and set more young people up for success.
Thank you Council, I look forward to any possible questions and the conversation ahead.