Greater Washington region unites for first-of-its-kind workforce digital tool for displaced federal workers

Leaders from across the Greater Washington region - including elected officials, business executives, philanthropic organizations, and higher education institutions - today launched a groundbreaking, public sector driven workforce tool to support displaced federal workers and build long-term economic resilience.

Talent Capital -a first-of-its-kind digital platform-offers free job matching, career training, reskilling, credentialing, and coaching. The platform, housed at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), combines technology with personalized, human-centered support from partners across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia to help residents navigate career transitions and connect with meaningful employment opportunities.

The launch event, hosted at JPMorganChase's Washington, DC office, highlighted the region's unified approach to addressing workforce shifts. It also introduced the "We the People" public awareness campaign aimed at guiding jobseekers to the new resource.

"This launch is not just about a website - it's about all of us working together to build long-standing economic resilience for our region," said Rodney Lusk, Chair of the COG Board of Directors. "Talent Capital is a critical step in a bold, cross-sector effort to ensure displaced workers have the support they need today, and that our region remains a national leader in talent and innovation."

The event brought together a broad coalition of leaders from across the region, including: Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser; Portia Wu, Maryland Secretary of Labor; Lizbeth Casco White

Deputy Secretary of Labor of the Commonwealth of Virginia; Rodney Lusk, COG Board Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and Fairfax County Supervisor; Victor Hoskins, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority; Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, DC Secretary of Labor; Kate Stewart, President of the Montgomery County Council; Clark Mercer, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments; Alex Orfinger, Market President and Publisher of the Washington Business Journal; Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation; Jack McDougle, President & CEO, Greater Washington Board of Trade; Kathy Hollinger, CEO of the Greater Washington Partnership; Alexis Bataillon, Head of Public Engagement and Market Leadership at JPMorganChase; Donald "Blue" Jenkins, Executive Vice President and President of Utilities at AltaGas and President of Washington Gas; Maurice D. Edington, Ph.D., President of the University of the District of Columbia; Nina Albert, Washington, DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; and Paul Kihn, Washington, DC Deputy Mayor for Education among others.

"In Washington, DC, we know that talent is our greatest asset, and that every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to succeed," said Mayor Muriel Bowser. "Talent Capital ensures that our residents can stay in the region they call home, access high-quality jobs, grow their careers, and drive innovation across key industries. We are proud to lead this effort, and confident that economic mobility and opportunity will continue to define our region for years to come."

"Talent Capital shows what's possible when we align innovation with purpose," said President and CEO of Fairfax County Economic Development Victor Hoskins. "In Virginia, we're proud to support bold solutions that not only help displaced workers today but also prepare our communities for the opportunities of tomorrow. By working across borders, we're strengthening the region's resilience and global competitiveness."

"This unified regional approach is what we need," said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. "Maryland is proud to stand with our partners in DC and Virginia to build a more resilient and equitable workforce and economy. By aligning the strength of our local workforce boards, education partners, and proven programs, we can help more residents access the meaningful training and clear career pathways they need to thrive."

About Talentcapital.AI

TalentCapital.AI is the region's front door to jobs, curated training, career events, and workforce resources across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Unlike static job boards, it's powered by BuildWithin's agentic AI-technology that thinks, adapts, and acts on behalf of each user. Job matches are tailored not just to past roles, but also to skills, career stage, aspirations, and location, while trainings and credentials are highlighted to boost career transitions.

Behind the scenes, a team of specialized AI agents guide residents through discovery and application. As a living platform, TalentCapital.AI grows with new partners, expanding its data, job postings, trainings, and events. This regional approach is vital: many jobseekers live in one jurisdiction and work in another, or simply haven't had access to so many trusted resources in one place. By unifying them in one adaptive, AI-driven system, TalentCapital.AI makes career navigation more connected, accessible, and future-focused for the Greater Washington workforce.

In addition to the launch of TalentCapital.AI, speakers announced a range of free programs and services from across the Greater Washington region. These include the District of Columbia's partnership with Grounded Idealist to provide 200 free job coaching packages, as well as employer-aligned training programs offered by George Washington University, the University of the District of Columbia, Trinity University, and others. All of these resources will be accessible through TalentCapital.AI.

The event concluded with a unified call to sustain and expand support for the public sector effort and Talent Capital platform, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration across sectors to ensure the region's displaced workers have the resources, training, and opportunities they need to thrive. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to making this effort and Talent Capital a lasting pillar for workforce resilience and economic growth throughout the Greater Washington region.

To support or learn more about the regional effort visit TalentCapital.AI.