Washington Workforce Development News
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
October 25, 2023
WORKFORCE BOARD MEETS NOVEMBER 7 TO DISCUSS NEXT STEPS FOR STATE WORKFORCE PLAN
The Workforce Board will meet in person from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, November 7, on next steps—along with progress made—in updating the state’s strategic workforce plan, Talent and Prosperity for All (TAP). As a great example of TAP in action, representatives from the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs and the state’s Employment Security Department will provide a presentation on how they’ve worked together to better deliver services to veterans and transitioning service members. The Board will also consider legislative endorsements for the 2024 session. More meeting details coming soon!
HEALTH WORKFORCE SENTINEL NETWORK OPEN 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, and makes that information available to educators, policymakers, and others. Previous findings have helped create new policies to help address a range of health workforce issues. 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. The data collection is open through November 10. More: https://wtb.wa.gov/planning-programs/health-workforce-council/
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL HIRE-A-VET JOB FAIR
The state’s Employment Security Department in conjunction with WorkSource employment centers is helping host a virtual job fair for veterans, transitioning service members, and their spouses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 7. YES VETS is a statewide, multi-partner effort to encourage hiring of U.S. military veterans. Nearly 100 participating employers will be a part of the online job fair. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/4wm5kydr
NEW DIRECTOR OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION NAMED AT OSPI
Krista Fox has been named the new director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, effective Nov. 16. Fox comes to OSPI from Tacoma Community College where she served as the Associate Provost of Workforce and Dean of Health, Business & Wellness. Fox has worked over 25 years with Washington’s community and technical college system. She is also a first-generation college graduate who aims to provide an equity-focused approach to educating tomorrow’s workforce. https://tinyurl.com/mr2kmyu2
JOHN TRAUGOTT TAKES HELM OF WASHINGTON WORKFORCE ASSOCIATION
John Traugott, formerly with the state’s Employment Security Department (ESD), was named the new executive director of the Washington Workforce Association, which represents the majority of the state’s regional workforce development councils. Traugott has extensive experience with both state and local level workforce development initiatives. At ESD, he managed Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants and contracts, led implementation of new initiatives, and managed multi-agency teams to streamline poverty reduction systems and support economic recovery. He’s also served as the director of community and employment service at Highline College in Des Moines and provided youth and business services in the local workforce development system. More: https://washingtonworkforce.org/news-and-insights/
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