Washington Workforce Development News Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

September 20, 2023

WORKFORCE BOARD MEETS OCTOBER 4 TO DISCUSS NEXT STEPS FOR STATE WORKFORCE PLAN
The Workforce Board will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, October 4, to discuss the next steps in planning and updating the state’s strategic workforce plan, Talent and Prosperity for All (TAP). More meeting and registration details at: https://wtb.wa.gov/workforce-board/board-meetings-agendas/

HEALTH WORKFORCE COUNCIL MEETS THURSDAY
The Health Workforce Council, staffed by the Workforce Board, is holding a virtual meeting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., (tomorrow) Thursday, Sept. 21 to discuss potential updates and council recommendations, including strategies to reduce the educational debt burden of the health workforce, as well as childcare access, among other items. Get more details and register for the meeting at: https://wtb.wa.gov/planning-programs/health-workforce-council/health-workforce-council-meetings/

ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISABILITIES AS PART OF GOVERNOR’S COMMITTEE
If you’re interested in disability justice, apply to become a volunteer member of the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GCDE). The GCDE is currently recruiting for three committee members. Application deadline is Oct. 13. The committee has 25 volunteer members appointed by the governor. They serve a 3-year term with the possibility of being appointed to a second 3-year term. All new members will be appointed by Gov. Inslee to serve terms starting January 2024. Committee members can live anywhere in Washington state. They must have a disability; have a family member with a disability; or provide services to, or be an advocate for, people with disabilities. Learn more: https://esd.wa.gov/GCDE/member

CAREER GUIDES ARE HERE—NOW WE NEED TO MOVE THEM OUT!
It’s officially fall. And that means the Workforce Board’s popular (and free!) Where Are You Going? Career guides are ready to distribute to WorkSource centers, middle and high schools, colleges and universities, community-based organizations, and more. This popular guide was printed just last year (middle of 2022), so the information is still fresh and actionable for your customers. The guide features a career quiz for readers to pinpoint their interests and abilities and how they relate to a range of careers. The guide also includes hundreds of occupations, including projected growth rates in Washington, education requirements, and average pay in our state. Get your own guides at: https://wtb.wa.gov/career-resources/order-publications/
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR STANDARDS BOARD SEEKS GRANT APPLICATION REVIEWERS The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) seeks volunteers to participate in reviewing grant applications for the Alternative Route Block Grant. This grant provides scholarships to teacher candidates in alternative route programs, as well as funding to approved alternative route program partnerships engaging in “grow your own” strategies to address district and candidate needs. Reviewers will be asked to participate in an orientation via Zoom, review applications, and participate in an application review meeting via Zoom this fall. Interested? Act now! You’ll need to sign up by Friday, Sept. 22. More at: https://tinyurl.com/3usakec2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The leaves are turning red and yellow as the season changes. But some things, like this bite-sized digest of workforce news, stay the same—in a good way! Share it with a friend (or two)! To subscribe or unsubscribe (we'll miss you), email workforce@wtb.wa.gov.