The week-long hotel shadow program will allow participants to work closely with the hotel's staff during pre-opening training at The James Washington D.C. All participants will receive hands-on experience in a number of line staff and management hospitality roles including guest services, security, sales and marketing and human resources.

“Like The James brand, the NoMa neighborhood symbolizes opportunity, adventure, and diversity, and that's why we are thrilled to be joining this community and announce The James Connection,” says Christina Denihan, VP of asset management and development. “We really felt this program would be a good way for us to deepen our connection with our neighbors by allowing them to work in a hotel environment and experience our shared values firsthand.”

Denihan's partnership with Eastern High School will provide juniors and seniors with interview training, resume writing courses and the ability to learn in a fast-paced environment from established hospitality professionals. Members of Denihan's executive team will also serve as mentors for the students, the company states.

Other workforce development initiatives being undertaken by the Armature Works development team include:

• A commitment by Clark Construction, the project's general contractor, to establish a formal program aimed at attracting both skilled and entry-level employees to the job site from the surrounding neighborhoods;

• The potential creation of an apprenticeship in the electrical repair business of Central Armature Works, the business that has operated on the site of the Armature Works project for over three decades; and

• A $50,000 donation to the Greater Washington Community Foundation, which works to strengthen the Washington metropolitan region by encouraging and supporting effective giving and by providing leadership on critical issues. The foundation will establish a grant program to be used for job training for residents and employers within roughly one mile of the development site.