Andy Shallal to head up the District’s Workforce Investment Council

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser appointed Busboys and Poets owner Andy Shallal Monday to head up the District’s Workforce Investment Council.

The WIC, which is a private sector-led board, advises the mayor, council and other District government entities on strategies for how the city can better invest in workforce development and job training.

“Since Andy came to the District five decades ago, he has made his mark on our city – as an artist, restaurateur, activist, and philanthropist,” Ms. Bowser said in a Monday statement. “He has personally trained and hired hundreds of District residents, and I’m thrilled that he will help take our workforce system to new heights.”

Shallal owns the Busboys and Poets local restaurant and bookstore chain as well as Eatonville Restaurant in the District and in his role as the head of WIC, Bowser said she’s tasking Shallal with finding out how the District can better serve the city’s employers. Shallal will also work closely with the Department of Employment Services to streamline the District’s workforce development system.

“Even though there are more jobs than people in the District, too many DC residents do not have the education and the skills to fill those jobs,” Shallal said. “I am ready to get to work with Mayor Bowser to improve workforce development and ultimately achieve our shared goal of expanding meaningful prosperity and lift up our city.”