Washington Workforce Development News
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
April 10, 2023
WORKFORCE BOARD HOLDS RETREAT MAY 4-5
The Workforce Board is holding its annual retreat in early May at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma. But right now we’re simply asking you to save the date—May 4-5—as we finalize the meeting details and the agenda. The two primary goals for the retreat are to identify the strategic priorities for the update of the state’s strategic workforce plan “Talent and Prosperity for All,” and to begin to develop the Board’s 2024 legislative agenda. The Board, along with agency staff, will be traveling across the state in the coming months to talk with a wide range of communities and stakeholders. This ground-level feedback will be incorporated into the guiding plan, before it is submitted to the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education in the spring of 2024. More details coming soon at: https://bit.ly/3KlJqqp
WHERE ARE YOU GOING CAREER GUIDES—ORDER YOURS TODAY!
The Workforce Board’s popular (and free!) Where Are You Going? career guides are packed with Washington-specific occupation and labor market info, and ready to distribute to WorkSource centers, middle and high schools, colleges and universities, community-based organizations, libraries, and more! The guide—which was updated just last year—features hundreds of occupations, including projected growth rates in Washington, education requirements, and average pay in our state. At the back of the guide you’ll find quick tips on how to write a resume and cover letter, do’s and don’ts for interviews, and a wide range of education and career-focused resources, including grants and scholarships information. Order your own guides at: https://bit.ly/3zGVqOv
SOUTH CENTRAL WORKFORCE REBRANDS
South Central Workforce has dropped “Development Council” from its name as part of a rebranding effort that also includes new email addresses, a new masthead, and an updated website and social media. This local workforce board oversees workforce development programs, services, and activities for Klickitat, Kittitas, Skamania, and Yakima Counties. From now on, use this email format to contact SCW staff: firstname.lastname@scworkforce.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SKILLSUSA COMPETITION IN LAKEWOOD
Help support the state-level SkillsUSA competition by volunteering as a judge for portions of the leadership competition from 1-6 p.m., Friday, April 14 at Clover Park Technical College. The AGC Education Foundation is seeking 18 volunteers. Volunteers will interview students using preset questions and score students on their presentation and professionalism. More info: https://www.constructionfoundation.org/give-back/volunteer/ or contact Sarah Patterson at spatterson@agcwa.com.
VOLUNTEERS ALSO NEEDED FOR WAVE SCHOLARSHIP
Washington’s top career and technical education (CTE) students need your help! This year, more than 250 CTE students applied for the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship, which pays up to two years of college tuition. The Workforce Board seeks volunteers to review this year’s applications. We need people from business, labor, education, community organizations, and more. Contact us at wave@wtb.wa.gov to get started!