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May 16, 2013
WORKFORCE TRAINING RESULTS REPORT
AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN PRINT
Curious about the performance of many
of the state's key workforce programs? See how these programs helped
participants with employment, earnings and skills attainment. a summary of the
most current Workforce Training Results is now available in printed form, as
well as online.
GOV. INSLEE ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER ON VETERANS
EMPLOYMENT
Governor Jay Inslee has called for an aggressive
campaign to help veterans find and keep employment in an executive order
released this week. See news release.
PUBLIC REVIEW SOUGHT ON WIA PERFORMANCE TARGETS
The Workforce Board staff is preparing to negotiate with the U.S.
Department of Labor on performance targets for Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
programs for the 12 months beginning July 1. A draft proposal of the targets will be available for public review on Friday, May 17.
SEATTLE TIMES CORRECTS OP-ED STORY
The Seattle Times
corrected the online version of a Guest Column that ran in the May 5th edition
after receiving accurate data from the Workforce Development Council of
Seattle-King County. The article, not written by Seattle Times
staff, significantly overstated the cost of training which is correctly
portrayed as ranging between $1,500 to $6,500 per particpant. Full
response and links to the Seattle Times article.
NEW REPORT CALLS FOR DATA DRIVEN CAREER PLACEMENT
A
new report shows how data-driven "report cards" for education programs have the
potential to help those who are retraining make better decisions. The Washington
Career Bridge website, for example, makes these report cards publically
available, showing employment, earnings and completion rates for thousands of
education programs.
WORKFORCE RESPONSE TO SEATTLE TIMES GUEST EDITORIAL
The Sunday Seattle Times editorial page had a guest opinion that attacked
workforce development programs and used incorrect information. Cindy Zehnder,
chair of the Workforce Board, and Tom Peterson, vice-chair of the Workforce
Development Council of Seattle-King County, authored a response that will appear in the
Seattle Times letters to the editor, which is limited to 200 words. Here is the
full response.
CONGRESSMAN KILMER INTRODUCES LIFELONG LEARNING
LEGISLATION
Washington's Lifelong Learning Account (LiLA) program
( www.lila.wa.gov) was featured by U.S.
Rep. Derek Kilmer last week when he introduced federal legislation that would
promote the employee owned, employer matched savings plan nationwide. Workforce
Board Chair Cindy Zehnder and LiLA employer Julianne Hanner of Hanner
Enterprises attended the announcement in Tacoma.
STATE BOARD TO CONSIDER
BACCALAUREATE PROPOSALS
The State Board for Community and Technical
Colleges meets this week to consider approval of new Bachelors of Applied
Science (BAS) degrees: Information Technology, Network Administration, and
Security at Green River Community College; and International Business at North
Seattle Community College.
GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW MEMBERS TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
COUNCIL
Governor Jay Inslee announced four new appointments to the
Washington Student Achievement Council, including Jeff Charbonneau, a Zillah
High School math and science teacher recently honored by President Obama as the
National Teacher of the Year, and former Employment Security Department
Commissioner Karen Lee.
AJAC LAUNCHES REDESIGNED WEBSITE
The Aerospace
Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) has a newly redesigned website that
features occupations in aerospace and manufacturing along with apprenticeship
and pre-apprenticeship training. http://www.ajactraining.org/
May 2, 2013
LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS WITH OPERATING BUDGET ISSUES
UNRESOLVED
When the Legislature reconvenes for a special session on May 13, it will
need to reconcile differences from the budgets proposed by Governors Gregoire
and Inslee and the House and Senate. We have assembled a table showing the
various budget positions on workforce development related budget items.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY WDC AWARDED RAPID RESPONSE FEDERAL
DOLLARS
The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded Workforce Development Council Snohomish County $150,000 in Rapid Response Additional Assistance funds to help
as many as 700 aerospace workers affected by The Boeing Co.'s recent reduction
in force announcement.
UPDATED CAREER GUIDES WILL BE READY FOR NEXT SCHOOL
YEAR
We are in the middle of redesigning our popular "Where are you going?"
Career Guide. With over 200,000 copies of the current version in circulation,
the career guide is broadly used in career counseling offices, WorkSource
offices and schools. The new version will be more closely integrated with www.CareerBridge.wa.gov.
CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN VETERANS AND THEIR TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN
LIFE
April 11, 2013
LEGISLATURE TURNS ATTENTION TO FINAL BILL PASSAGE AND
BUDGET
The Legislature is wrapping up its committee work and focusing more on
deliberation in full assembly. Bills that have not passed committee, with the
exception of budget bills, are likely not to be considered again during this
session. We have updated our list of workforce development bills that are still
active this session at: www.wtb.wa.gov/2013sessionbills.asp
COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES PLAY ROLE IN FILLING STEM SKILL
GAP
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges has
produced a fact sheet on the role community and technical colleges play in
addressing the state's need for workers prepared for occupations in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
AEROSPACE
CAREER PATHWAYS GUIDEBOOK AVAILABLE
The Center for Aerospace and
Advanced Manufacturing has produced a guidebook with student pathway options
that lead to careers in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. It's available to
teachers, counselors, parents and students. Pre-order your copy at
HEALTH CARE CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION PIPELINE
Hear from national leaders in health care reform about the Affordable Care
Act's impact on workforce development and the education pipeline at a June 7
conference at South Seattle Community College's Georgetown campus. Health care
educators may qualify for travel cost assistance.
April 4 2013
MID-LEVEL SKILL GAP ANALYSIS IDENTIFIES
FUTURE SHORTAGES IN KEY OCCUPATIONS
The Workforce Board staff has
completed its annual mid-level skill analysis which estimates what shortages
will occur in the future if mid-level education and training programs remain at
current levels. Manufacturing and production, installation, maintenance and
repair and protective services show the largest gap between demand and supply.
WORKFORCE BOARD RESEARCH DEPARTMENT SEEKS ASSISTANT
MANAGER
The Workforce Board has an opening for an Assistant
Research Manager. This position assists in managing the agency's
responsibilities related to performance measurement, program evaluation,
analysis and forecasting of skilled labor supply and demand, and survey
assessment.
STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHES IN SPOKANE
Greater Spokane Inc. has partnered with the Spokane Area Workforce
Development Council to launch "Work 101," a new internship program that matches
high school students with local employers. Participating employers commit to
providing youth meaningful worksite learning experiences that build academic,
technical, and workplace skills.
COMMUNITY SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES
The Division of Developmental Disabilities is hosting
a "Community Summit" June 19-21, 2013 at Central Washington University in
Ellensburg. The Summit will bring together individuals committed to building
inclusive communities. People with developmental disabilities and their families
and friends, staff that provide residential, employment, educational and
personal supports, state and county staff, and local activists and leaders are
invited.
March 28, 2013
YOUTH WORK EXPERIENCE LEGISLATION MAKES
IT TO HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 5754, which would
create a public-private partnership focused on creating greater access to
work-integrated learning experiences for youth, has been approved by the full
Senate and the House Labor and Workforce Committee. The House Appropriations has
until April 9 to consider the bill. Other bills of interest.:
WALLA WALLA COMMUNITY COLLEGE WINS ASPEN PRIZE
Walla Walla Community College was awarded the Aspen prize along with
$400,000 for its success at training students to work in emerging job markets.
In 2011, new graduates from Walla Walla earned $41,548, close to double the
wages of other new hires in the region.
CAREER BRIDGE FEATURES NEW LINK TO
APPRENTICESHIPS
Wondering how to get more info about apprenticeship
programs? CareerBridge.wa.gov now connects you with apprenticeship coordinators from around the state and connects you directly to apprenticeships
NEW STUDY SUGGESTS DUAL ENROLLMENT FOSTERS ACADEMIC
SUCCESS
A recently released Columbia University study suggests that
students who participated in dual enrollment as part of their high school career
pathway were more likely than similar students in their school district to
graduate from high school, enroll in four-year colleges, and persist in college.
March 18, 2013
WORKFORCE BOARD & PARTNERS ALIGN FEDERAL CTE
INVESTMENTS WITH STATE STRATEGY
At last week's meeting, the
Workforce Board approved a proposal that calls on community and technical
colleges and school districts to indicate how they will use federal Career and
Technical Education funding to further the objectives and strategies of Goal 1
of High Skills, High Wages, the state's comprehensive plan for workforce
development.
HOUSE LABOR & WORKFORCE COMMITTEE TO HEAR
WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING BILL
On Thursday, the House Labor &
Workforce Committee will hear testimony on SB 5754 (the ASSET bill) which seeks
to increase access to youth internships and other work-integrated learning
opportunities. Calendar and bills of interest:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RELEASES NEW
REPORT
The Washington Economic Development Commission has released
its final economic development and jobs report, Driving Washington's Prosperity.
The report outlines recommendations for boosting the state's competitiveness,
including "Make Talent a Top Prioirty."
AJAC FEATURES WOMEN IN AEROSPACE
TRADES
The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) has
released a series of videos that show women at work in traditionally
male-dominated aerospace jobs, including machinists and aircraft mechanics.
March 11, 2013
BOARD TO REVIEW LATEST
SKILL GAP PROJECTIONS, APPRENTICESHIP EXPANSION
The Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board meets Thursday,
March 14 in Olympia. The agenda includes action on the state's Eligible Training
Provider policy, a review of the latest skills gap projection, a panel on
apprenticeship programs and more. Agenda and materials.
HOUSE APPROVES HIGH SKILLS, HIGH WAGES RESOLUTION
The state House of Representatives has passed HCR 4403 which
endorses the Workforce Board's recently adopted strategic plan for workforce
development, High Skills, High Wages.
Also, the Senate has passed SB 5754 which encourages increased connections
between students and work-integrated learning opportunities. Another active bill
(HB 1472)aims to encourage more students to consider computer science.
Our legislative tracking list
TEMPORARY POSITIONS OPEN AT WORKFORCE BOARD
The
Workforce Board is looking to fill a couple of key positions that will help the
agency keep up with its workflow over the next few months. In particular, the
Workforce Board is seeking a management analyst to help the agency manage its
contracts and provide data management support as well as a part-time office
assistant. www.wtb.wa.gov/EmploymentOpportunities.asp
Also, Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Employment for Women is seeking a
new executive director - www.anewaop.org
March 1, 2013
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY SHIFTS FROM
COMMITTEE TO FLOOR DEBATE
This is the last day for bills to be
considered in committee before activity shifts to the House and Senate floors.
The Legislature's self-imposed deadline means that only bills that have cleared
policy and fiscal committees in their house of origin can be considered further
this session. View our bill tracking list.
CASE STUDIES: WA HEALTH CARE WORKERS MOVE AHEAD WITH EMPLOYER
HELP
Workforce development programs and career ladders for
frontline health care workers can address many quality and workforce issues,
according to a national study led by the Work Force Institute at the Washington
State Hospital Association. The just released report, funded by the Hitachi
Foundation, features case studies from around the country including from Group
Health Cooperative and Virginia Mason Medical Center (Seattle) and Providence
St. Peter Hospital (Olympia).
HIGHER PAID PROFESSIONS ARE LEADING SPOKANE'S JOB
RECOVERY
Some of the occupational fields experiencing the largest
job growth in Spokane pay higher on average than some of the fields that had the
biggest job losses during the Great Recession. The Spokane Area Workforce
Development Council has identified this trend on its website.
LEGISLATIVE WORK SESSION ON SKILL CENTERS
The House
Education Committee will conduct a work session on high school Skill Centers on
Thursday, March 7. S ee next week's legislative schedule/
February 22, 2013
WORKFORCE BOARD'S SURVEY SHINES LIGHT ON EMPLOYER HIRING NEEDS &
PRACTICES
The Workforce Board has released the results of its 2012
Employer Survey. Conducted late last year and consisting of over 2,800 responses
from Washington employers, the survey shines a light on hiring and training
practices. Based on survey responses, roughly 60,000 employers hired workers
last year.
HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING BILL FOR
AT-RISK YOUTH
The House Labor and Workforce Development Committee
unanimously approved HB 1871 this week. The Governor-requested bill creates the
Alliance for Student Success in Education and Training (ASSET) program designed
to increase connections to work-integrated learning opportunities, particularly
in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Also, this morning, the
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee passed the Senate companion bill, SB
5754.
TODAY IS A KEY LEGISLATIVE DEADLINE
The Legislature
clears its first self-imposed deadline for legislation by end of the day. After
today, the Legislature will only consider bills that have passed a policy
committee, with the exception of bills currently in a fiscal committee such as
Appropriations or Transportation. The deadline for bills passing fiscal
committees is next Friday, March 1. Our legislative page is tracking over 70
bills of interest to the education and workforce development community. See:
February 15, 2013
GOVERNOR INSLEE REQUESTS
WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING LEGISLATION
Governor Jay Inslee has included
work-integrated learning legislation as part of his Washington Jobs package.
This legislation is consistent with the Workforce Board's strategic plan
recommendation for increased work-integrated learning opportunities. The
Governor's proposals (HB 1871 and SB 5754) will receive hearings next week.
WORKFORCE BOARD
REPORT IDENTIFIES HEALTH CARE OCCUPATIONS IN SHORTAGE
The Health Care
Personnel Shortage Task Force 2012 report outlines the emerging issues related
to the supply of health professionals in Washington. The report includes
Workforce Board data on graduations by health care occupation and a projection
of future demand compared to current supply. While noting success in closing the
gap in nursing, the report warns about shortages in home health aides and
physicians.
HOUSE
COMMITTEE APPROVES HIGH SKILLS, HIGH WAGES RESOLUTION
After hearing
from representatives from the Association of Washington Business, the Washington
State Labor Council, the Employment Security Department, the State Board for
Community and Technical Colleges, the House Labor and Workforce Development
Committee unanimously approved the resolution endorsing the Workforce Board's
High Skills, High Wages strategic plan. The resolution is in House Rules
Committee.
February 5, 2013
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COUNCIL CONDUCTS STATEWIDE
LISTENING TOUR
The Washington
Student Achievement Council is holding meetings around the state--including one
in Ellensburg tomorrow from 4:30 to 6 p.m.--to discuss a 10-Year Roadmap aimed
at boosting education attainment. The council is conducting a Listening Tour to
get feedback from local communities on creating an effective education system.
Other cities on the council's schedule: Vancouver, Seattle, Olympia, Pullman and
Walla Walla. Find out what was said at previous meetings in Bellingham and
Spokane at: http://feedback.wsac.wa.gov/
CAREER BRIDGE SOCIAL MEDIA
SHARES EDUCATION & CAREER NEWS
With the upgrade of
CareerBridge.Wa.Gov last spring came a presence on Facebook and Twitter. Through
these social media tools, CareerBridge.wa.gov shares information about career
fairs, employment programs, conferences, articles of interest and recent
reports. One recent posting comes from the Spokane Area Workforce Development
Council on the role of the local WorkSource office in helping a displaced worker
get a new job. Facebook: www.facebook.com/careerbridge.wa.gov
LEGISLATIVE PAGES ACTIVE AS
LEGISLATURE MOVES INTO SECOND MONTH
We are tracking legislation and
committee activities of interest to the workforce development community. We also
post presentations and TVW links of key meetings. www.wtb.wa.gov/LegislativeUpdates.asp
February 1, 2013
HIGH SKILLS, HIGH WAGES RESOLUTION INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE
House Concurrent Resolution 4403, outlining the High Skills, High Wages strategic plan for workforce development adopted by the Workforce Board last year, will be introduced in the House on Monday. The resolution has 14 sponsors so far, including Reps. Mike Sells, Matt Manweller, Larry Seaquist, and Larry Haler.
DIRECTORY SHOWCASES WORKFORCE/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR EACH COUNTY
The Workforce Board has updated its directory that helps connect you to the Workforce Development Council, Associate Development Organization and Small Business Development Center for each of Washington's counties. This directory is on our Employer Resource page.
SEATTLE REPORT FOCUSES ON VALUE OF SOFT SKILLS IN ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS
The Seattle Jobs Initiative, a nonprofit organization that targets low-income jobseekers, has released a report indicating that while three out of four employers say soft skills were at least as important as technical skills, they differ on what types of soft skills are needed.
IT'S CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH!
February is National Career & Technical Education month. This year's theme is "Career and Technical Education Works." To see how well it works, you can view our latest performance results for Secondary CTE. For more on CTE Month, view the Washington Association of Career and Technical Education website
January 25, 2013
NEW PAPER: MULTIPLE PATHWAYS FOR YOUNG ADULTS SHOULD START EARLY
A new Workforce Board report emphasizes career and education pathways that begin in high school and include career guidance and planning, work-integrated learning and technical skill training.
WORKFORCE BOARD UPDATES WORKFORCE SYSTEM AT A GLANCE
The Workforce Board's poster charting workforce development program funds and services in Washington has been updated. You can see it online and get one mailed to you.
HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARS FROM OPPORTUNITY INTERNS
The House Education Committee reviewed the Workforce Board's interim report on the Opportunity Internship Program and heard the stories of three Tacoma youth who did internships as high school students and have since progressed on to college. Report and presentation slides.
MORE LEGISLATIVE- WORKFORCE NEWS
January 17, 2013
WORKFORCE BOARD MEETS NEXT WEEK
The Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board holds its first meeting of 2013, Thursday, Janaury 24 in Tumwater. The agenda includes a review of the history of state core measures, the agency's recent Employer Survey and more.
HIGH SKILLS, HIGH WAGES STRATEGIC PLAN AVAILABLE ONLINE & IN PRINT
The Workforce Board's new state strategic plan for workforce development, High Skills, High Wages, has been printed. View the printed version online or order free copies.
AEROSPACE REPORT SUGGESTS GREATER GROWTH EXPECTED
A new report, jointly produced by the Workforce Board and the State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, defines aerospace and related industries, identifies programs of study whose graduates are hired by this industry and estimates, based on an employer survey, that job growth might be greater than national economic models currently suggest.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION HAILS THE COMING OF AGE OF SECTOR-BASED STRATEGIES
This week, the National Governors Association released a policy paper that highlights state strategies that use industry sectors as an organizing principle for workforce development. The report singles out Washington for its statutory definition of sector strategy, its use of Industry Skill Panels and its 10 Centers of Excellence.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY PAGES GET ACTIVE AS LEGISLATURE RETURNS
The 2013 Washington legislative session began this week. We are tracking legislation and committee activities of interest to the workforce development community. We also post presentations and TVW links of key meetings.
January 10, 2013
INSLEE NAMES NEW AGENCY LEADERS
Governor-elect Jay Inslee announced five new members of his administration, including Deputy Commissioner for Employment Security Joel Sacks who will head up the state's Department of Labor & Industries, and the past chair of the Workforce Development Council of Snohomish County and a CEO of an aerospace manufacturing firm Dale Peinecke to be the new Commissioner for the state's Employment Security Department.
ANNUAL 2012 REPORT SUMMARIZES OUTGOING STRATEGIC PLAN PROGRESS
The Workforce Board staff has released an annual report on progress with the state's workforce development strategic plan. This is the final report on the plan developed in 2008 and approved by the Legislature in 2009. The Workforce Board adopted a new strategic plan in September. The 2012 annual progress report
FIRST WEEK OF 2013 SESSION INCLUDES WORKFORCE-RELATED PRESENTATIONS
The 2013 Legislative Session starts next Monday. On January 16, Workforce Board Deputy Director Bryan Wilson will present to the House Labor Committee information about the Workforce Board and its new strategic plan. On January 18, Executive Director Eleni Papadakis will present the Opportunity Internship Program to the House Education Committee. Workforce development related legislative schedule.
ESD NEWSLETTER FEATURES CAREER BRIDGE TIP OF THE MONTH
Workforce professionals who receive the NewSource newsletter from the state's Employment Security Department can learn new ways to get more out of Career Bridge each month. The newsletter now features a Career Bridge Tip in the upper left corner. Recent tips have included ways to pay for school and what to do if a program is not on the Eligible Training Provider list.
January 3, 2013
WORKFORCE BOARD SUBMITS ANNUAL REPORT ON FEDERAL CTE FUNDS
The Workforce Board oversees funds received through the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act--a multi-million dollar grant that helps educators better prepare students for postsecondary education and the workplace. To fulfill federal requirements, the Workforce Board submits an annual report on how the federal funds are used for Career and Technical Education programs around the state.
LAST CHANCE TO HELP US WITH FEEDBACK SURVEY
The Workforce Board's annual feedback survey will close January 8. If you've taken it, thank you. If not, please do!
NEW WEB SITE AIMED AT ENTREPRENEURS
The U.S. Department of Labor and Small Business Administration have created an online Self-Employment Assistance Center to provide information and resources for those eligible for Unemployment Insurance.
FREE SOFTWARE COURSES EXPANDED
All working-age residents of Washington are eligible to access free online classes that teach how to use computer software programs. Over the last two years, the Employment Security Department has provided free access to online Microsoft courses. Now the free course selection includes instruction on software by Adobe, Apple, IBM, Intuit, SAP and others. Registrations are processed through WorkSource.
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