Workforce Institute

Are you in search of a better life for you and your family?

Steady, reliable work is the key to having money in your pocket, food on the table, and a roof over your head.

If you’re ready to get to work and aren’t afraid of learning something new, UPO’s Workforce Institute offers training for some of DC’s most in-demand vocational careers. We also help you search for jobs, nail your interview, and find and keep the job that’s right for you. And we provide each and every student with one-on-one case management services to keep you focused, moving forward, and ready for better days ahead.

Training

Getting the skills to pay the bills

We offer a variety of hands on job training programs taught by industry professionals to help you earn national certifications and get the tools and knowledge needed to become a productive member of the workforce:

View or print the UPO WFI Program & Course Schedules Booklet

Building Maintenance Professional

Framing, plumbing, flooring, painting, electrical, lockwork — we teach you how to work on most any part of a building

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Commercial Driver

Our commercial driver’s license (CDL) program can get you behind the wheel of a tractor trailer, Metrobus, school bus, dump truck, or other commercial vehicle

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Culinary Arts Professional

Learn how to prepare, present, serve, and manage food — and get the skills to pass the certified food protection manager exam

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Broadband Telecommunications Network Technician

We teach you how to build cables, set up computer and phone networks, install home audio systems, and provide other telecommunication services

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Child Development Associate (CDA) Program

Learn how to become a professional in early education, focusing on the developmental needs of children up to age 5 and the most effective ways to teach them and care for them.

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Electrical Technician

Get trained in electrical theory, conduit installation, how to wire a house, and other control, safety, and troubleshooting techniques

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Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Learn to be a lifesaver with lecture and lab instruction on EMT basics, patient assessments, and proper handling of an emergency scene

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Hospitality and Tourism Industry Service Worker

We provide service training with a smile — and help students prepare to take and pass the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s national certification exam

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IT Help Desk and Application Support Specialist

DC residents are eligible for this training program that teaches the skills necessary to prepare for and achieve CompTIA A+ certification

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Plumbing Technician

Learn from an expert — you’ll become a professional who earns respect and a good salary.

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EDME GROGUHE

Lead BCA, Telecommunications Technologies Instructor

Mr. Edme Groguhe is the Telecommunications (Broadband) Instructor at UPO Workforce Institute. A graduate of Rutgers University in New Jersey, he has over fifteen (15) years of experience in teaching at both high school and vocational school level. He is a certified C-Tech instructor in telecom, network cabling copperbased, network cabling fiber optic-based, telephone and VoIP, audio/video and energy management. Edme Groguhe has worked for DYRS (Dept. of Youth Rehabilitation Services), OIC/Howard University, and UDC and is also responsible for the certifications of over 200 DC residents.

RICHARD COCHRAN

Professional Building Maintenance Training Instructor

Mr. Cochran is a native Washingtonian who grew up in Southeast DC, attended Calvin Coolidge High School and served in the Armed Forces.

He attended UDC where he obtained several nationally recognized certifications. He started teaching at Sasha Bruce Youth Build where he found his calling in the construction trade, giving back to the people in the city where he was proud to have been raised. He is NCCER certified in CAMT, OSHA, Carpentry, Residential Electric as well as residential Plumbing.

MARCIA LEE

Hospitality Training Instructor

Ms. Lee is a proud native Washingtonian who was educated in the DC Public School System. She has had many careers, the longest being in the hospitality industry. Moving up the ranks in the industry in various positions starting as an on call banquet cashier, Room service order taker, Catering Administrative Assistant, and then Catering Service Manager.

She left the industry to become a Hospitality Training Instructor at UPO. Missing the industry, she left UPO in 2017 to accept a positon as an Executive Meetings Manager.

Once again, she felt the passion for helping others and returned to UPO in January 2020 to resume her position as a Hospitality Training Instructor. She is certified as a Hospitality Training Instructor (CHI).

JERALD THOMAS

Certified Executive Chef – Culinary Arts Instructor

Chef Thomas started in Foodservice industry in 1980. He began in the pot & dish room and worked his way to the front of the house of fine dining within 4 yrs. While taking courses and on-the-job training, he held several supervisory positions at a young age and moved around to learn how to run and operate a business. Later he got the desire to teach while he continued learning, so he went to Stratford University in 2001 to hone his skills and gain more knowledge. It was at Stratford University where he attained an Associate’s Degree with a GPA of 3.95 and ran a catering department for several years before applying to become a Director. After working as Director, he decided to become an Instructor and teach, which is his passion. A story in the City Paper paid tribute to Chef Thomas and his devotion to UPO students.

WILLIE REYNOLDS

Information Technology Instructor

Mr. Reynolds is currently the IT Helpdesk Instructor for United Planning Organization WFI Training. Over the course of his career, he has acquired multiple IT Certifications including CompTIA A+, MCDST and MCITP-SA. He is also a CTech Certified Copper Cabling and Telecommunications Instructor. He firmly believes that education is the passport to the future and he lives to share his knowledge with others.

1ST CDL TRAINING CENTER OF NOVA

CDL Training

1ST CDL TRAiNING CENTER OF NOVA is the UPO partner that offers professional training for Class B CDL licensure and Bus Training in DC, Virginia, and Maryland for UPO WFI enrolled students. They offer full time both in-classroom and in-vehicle training.
This class allows the driver to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds alone or towing another vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. Typical vehicles in this class include most buses and many tow-trucks. Class B drivers can operate Class C vehicles with the correct endorsements.

WESTLINK CAREER INSTITUTE

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training

Westlink Career Institute (WCI) has been facilitating the learning process for EMT training for nearly 30 years and welcomes the opportunity to navigate students to a new career path as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). The WCI mission is to provide a stimulating blended learning environment where both students and instructors explore the human condition through the tools of research and technology. They are committed to providing the best occupational training to residents of the District of Columbia.

CHARLES E. JONES, SR.

Electrical Technician Instructor

A Master Trainer with more than 25 years of experience in education, including more than a decade in Vocational Training, Charles Jones has been a leader, manager, coach, counselor, and minister focused on helping people achieve mission-critical competency in their work and their lives.
Charles holds certification as a Master Trainer for NCCER Construction Curriculum, and he has also been certified as OSHA 500 Instructor, IFMA Facility Management Professional (Project Management), and many other certifications.
Charles also holds a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Education from Word of Faith College as well as a Doctor of Ministry in Theological Studies from Logos University.

OSCAR CHAVEZ-GARAY

Plumbing Instructor

Mr. Chavez is the Plumbing Instructor at UPO Workforce institute. He attended Cardozo High School and also UDC. Oscar started working at Telesec as a Loose Leaf Filer. Oscar worked in that field for 10 years. He started Plumbing at the age of 32 at VITO Plumbing as a Helper. He work for VITO Plumbing for 2 years before moving on to work at Dwyer Plumbing Corp in VA. He worked at Dwyer Plumbing Corp as a helper, attended night school for 4 years, where he graduated and received his Masters in Plumbing and Masters in Gas Certification. Oscar continued to work at Dwyer Plumbing until 2019. In 2019, he then received his Master Certification in the State of Maryland and Washington DC. He then opened a small Plumbing business in all 3 states. Oscar was offered a job at UPO as a Plumbing Instructor in January, 2020. He continues to train at UPO WFI Training Division and his Plumbing business after hours and weekends.

To learn more or enroll in an upcoming training session, please call 202-231-7933 or email wfitraining@upo.org

Placement

Putting your skills to work

Learning a new skill is just the beginning! We’re here to help you gain confidence, apply yourself, and become the person you want to be.

We work hard to get you to work — whether it’s showing you how to apply for jobs, dress and prepare for an interview, or act professionally and respectfully once you’ve landed a job.

Every Workforce Institute student learn how to write a professional resume and cover letter, how to find a job that matches their interest and skills, and how to communicate effectively in the workplace. We even have relationships with local employers who call us looking for help!

And our counseling services don’t end on your first day at the new job. We want to make sure you and your new employer are happy, so we will check in with you regularly, make sure you have access to transportation and child care, and help you get another job if the first one doesn’t work out.

Whether you seek a new job or new skills, our training and placement services prepare you for the journey to opportunity, success and the future you deserve!

Are you in search of a better life for you and your family?

Steady, reliable work is the key to having money in your pocket, food on the table, and a roof over your head.

Training

Getting the skills to pay the bills

We offer a variety of hands on job training programs taught by industry professionals to help you earn national certifications and get the tools and knowledge needed to become a productive member of the workforce:

Building Maintenance Professional

Commercial Driver

Culinary Arts Professional

Broadband Telecommunications Network Technician

Child Development Associate (CDA) Program

Electrical Technician

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Hospitality and Tourism Industry Service Worker

IT Help Desk and Application Support Specialist

Plumbing Technician

EDME GROGUHE

RICHARD COCHRAN

MARCIA LEE

JERALD THOMAS

WILLIE REYNOLDS

1ST CDL TRAINING CENTER OF NOVA

WESTLINK CAREER INSTITUTE

CHARLES E. JONES, SR.

OSCAR CHAVEZ-GARAY

To learn more or enroll in an upcoming training session, please call 202-231-7933 or email wfitraining@upo.org

Placement

Putting your skills to work

Learning a new skill is just the beginning! We’re here to help you gain confidence, apply yourself, and become the person you want to be.

We work hard to get you to work — whether it’s showing you how to apply for jobs, dress and prepare for an interview, or act professionally and respectfully once you’ve landed a job.

Every Workforce Institute student learn how to write a professional resume and cover letter, how to find a job that matches their interest and skills, and how to communicate effectively in the workplace. We even have relationships with local employers who call us looking for help!

And our counseling services don’t end on your first day at the new job. We want to make sure you and your new employer are happy, so we will check in with you regularly, make sure you have access to transportation and child care, and help you get another job if the first one doesn’t work out.

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