Washington Workforce Development News
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
October 11, 2021
WORKFORCE BOARD MEETS WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS POLICY IDEAS
The Workforce Board meets (virtually) this Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to discuss budget requests and policy ideas as part of a 2022 legislative agenda. Among the proposals, modernizing the online education-and-career planning platform Career Bridge, responding to equity and access challenges in IT-based careers, and better integrating service delivery as part of a next generation workforce system. Get the full agenda and meeting materials at: https://www.wtb.wa.gov/workforce-board/board-meetings-agendas/
HEALTH WORKFORCE SENTINEL NETWORK OPENS FOR FEEDBACK
Washington’s Health Workforce Sentinel Network is open and once again ready to hear from employers around the state about their greatest health workforce needs. Twice a year, the Sentinel Network helps capture key recruitment, retention, and skills issues being confronted, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, and make that information available to educators, policymakers, and others. Washington’s Sentinel Network is a collaboration of the state’s Workforce Board, the Health Workforce Council, and the University of Washington’s Center for Health Workforce Studies. More details: https://www.wtb.wa.gov/planning-programs/health-workforce-council/
2022-23 FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
October 1 marks the first day people can apply for financial aid for the 2022-23 school year. Completing a financial aid application opens up more options for the future, so please share this information with friends, family, and neighbors. This year, a family of four making up to $102,000 can qualify for financial aid in Washington. In order to receive any state or federal financial aid, students must submit a financial aid application. But far too few students apply for financial aid in Washington, with only about half of high school seniors filing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in recent years. Get more details on how to apply at the Washington Student Achievement Council’s website: https://bit.ly/3as6XEx
REGISTER FOR CREDENTIAL ENGINE STATE CONVENING ON NOV. 30
We encourage you to register for Credential Engine’s fourth annual State Convening from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 30. It’s a (free!) virtual meeting where participants will learn how to work “Toward a More Transparent Credential Landscape Through Policy, Leadership, and Equity.” Nearly one million unique credentials are available in the United States, each one representing an opportunity for people to get ahead. But a lack of necessary and timely information makes it difficult for people to find the best education and training opportunities. State policymakers and agencies can help ensure their residents have the information they need to make well-informed decisions, especially during this time of economic recovery and continued labor market uncertainty. https://bit.ly/3mHLgq6
CTE EDUCATORS ASKED TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Career and Technical Education (CTE) department is seeking CTE student nominations for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program by CTE educators and directors. To nominate a student, please complete the 2022 Student Nomination Form and submit via email to presidentialscholars@k12.wa.us no later than 5 p.m. on October 15. More details: https://bit.ly/3oLof84
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loving all those red and yellow leaves…and this workforce newsletter, of course! Curl up with the latest edition. Then share it with a friend (or two)! To subscribe, or unsubscribe (we'll miss you), email workforce@wtb.wa.gov