Washington Workforce Development News
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
December 11, 2023
WORKFORCE BOARD MEETS WEDNESDAY TO HEAR ABOUT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
The Workforce Board will meet in person from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 13 to hear more about how career and technical education (CTE) is delivered in Washington, including a briefing that includes key education officials at both the K-12 and postsecondary level. The Board will also be updated on the Clean Energy Technology Workforce and will discuss their role in implementing the state’s strategic workforce plan, Talent and Prosperity for All (TAP), among other items. This meeting will be held at the Washington State Labor Council office, second floor, in Olympia. More meeting details, including information on remote access at: https://wtb.wa.gov/workforce-board/board-meetings-agendas/
UNEMPLOYMENT 101: LEARN THE BASICS ON ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS AND MORE
The Washington State Labor Council and the state’s Employment Security Department are teaming up to offer free online unemployment insurance training on Dec. 19 and 20. Participants will learn the basics of eligibility and how benefits are calculated, how to open a claim, file for weekly benefits, navigate and fix issues regarding the claim, and where to find help if needed. Registration is required. https://tinyurl.com/5yt3ma7u
NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS LONG-TERM CARE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES
The Workforce Board has issued a new report that outlines the workforce challenges in caring for Washington’s aging and vulnerable populations, including attracting and retaining quality long-term care workers, many of whom confront burnout and financial pressure in pivotal, frontline jobs. Average turnover is high at about 50 percent for direct care workers. Nearly half of home care workers received public assistance in 2020. In addition to identifying pain points, the Workforce Board is leading the discussion of solution-finding, including piloting the state’s first ever Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) apprenticeship—providing a high-skill, high-wage pathway for front-line care workers. Read the report and learn more about the Workforce Board’s Long-Term Care Initiative at: https://wtb.wa.gov/long-term-care/
WA COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGES TO OFFER NO-COST OPEN TEXTBOOKS
The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) recently received a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a three-year initiative to expand the number of free introductory textbooks for students in professional-technical programs. College faculty members and SBCTC open education experts will use the funds to create a set of seven open textbooks for programs in internet technology; forensic science; computer-aided design; health, safety, and nutrition; computer numerical control machining; culinary math; and periodontics. It’s part of SBCTC’s “Washington Open ProfTech” project, which involves developing open textbooks to prepare students for some of the highest-demand jobs in Washington. More info: https://tinyurl.com/yx54rub7
REGISTER FOR PNAA ANNUAL AEROSPACE CONFERENCE
The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance is holding its 23rd annual conference from Feb. 5-8 at the Lynnwood Event Center. This year’s conference is focused on a rapidly evolving landscape that includes challenges such as increasing global competition, rising material costs, and technological advancements. Get more details and register at: https://www.pnaa.net/events/pnaa-advance-2024-conference
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