68 ©2018 WASHINGTON DC ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP LABOR LAWS & FINDING TALENT
DC AMERICAN JOB CENTERS—
INTEGRATED CAREER DELIVERY SYSTEM
American Job Centers are part of a nationwide system
that offers job seekers, students, businesses, and career
professionals access to a comprehensive array of employmentrelated
services and tools in one convenient location.
DCNetworks.org is the online equivalent of the American
Job Centers system. DCNetworks.org is an advanced,
comprehensive, and integrated web-based system that
provides job seekers, training providers, employers, and
unemployment insurance applicants with 24-hour access
to the agency’s employment-related program services and
resources. It also provides access to local, regional, and
national labor market information.
JOB OPENINGS & RESUMES
The American Job Centers and DCNetworks.org allow
employers to post job openings and review the resumes of
registered customers. The District offers a unique benefit to
employers by offering to pre-screen potential applicants for
their workforce needs.
(202) 724-7000 · dcnetworks.org
FIRST SOURCE
The District’s First Source law ensures that District residents
are given priority for new jobs created by municipal funding
and development programs. The law requires that 51% of all
new hires on any government-assisted project or contract
between $300,000 and $5 million be District residents.
WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT
(SEE CHAPTER 5, FINANCIAL INCENTIVES)
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a federally-funded
program that reduces the federal tax liability of private forprofit,
and in some instances nonprofit employers hiring new
employees from eligible target groups who have consistently
faced significant barriers to employment. Recently, the Path
Act of 2015 extended WOTC retroactively for new hires from
December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2019.
EMPLOYER BENEFITS:
• For WOTC certified new hires working at least 120 hours,
employers can claim 25% of the first year wages paid up to
$6,000 for a maximum income tax credit of $1,500.
• For WOTC certified new hires working 400 hours or
more, employers can claim 40% of the first year wages up
to $6,000 for a maximum income tax credit of $2,400.
• The PATH Act retroactive extension applies to individuals
who begin work for an employer (and are certified under
any of the existing current target groups) after December
31, 2014.
• The PATH Act provisions that cover the new target group
apply to individuals who begin to work for an employer
after December 31, 2015.
LEARN, EARN, ADVANCE, PROSPER
The Learn, Earn, Advance, Prosper (L.E.A.P) initiative is a
network of interconnected partners utilizing the “earn-andlearn”
approach that will link unemployed District residents
with employment, education, and training opportunities. The
earn-and-learn approach applies the apprenticeship model to
skill development, allowing individuals to earn a wage while
participating in on-the-job training experience. The District
government seeks to partner with private businesses that can
serve as host employers for L.E.A.P. participants. For more
information about L.E.A.P, call (202) 442-4646 or email
leap.does@dc.gov.
PROJECT EMPOWERMENT
Project Empowerment (PE), is an initiative under DOES
that connects District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia
businesses with District residents who are willing, ready,
and qualified to work. Project Empowerment partners with
businesses to recruit, train, match, and coach candidates for
successful employment.
By partnering with DOES, businesses can help the agency
place job-ready candidates into meaningful employment
while mitigating their hiring costs. Project Empowerment
works with DC area businesses by connecting them with
candidates who have been provided with training, coaching,
and job support. After completing this program, candidates
have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while
their wages are subsidized by the District government for up
to six months.
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