Workforce Development Newsletters

RE-ENTRY SERVICES A FOCUS OF NEXT WEEK’S WORKFORCE BOARD MEETING
Department of Corrections Secretary Cheryl Strange will kick off the September 26 Workforce Board meeting focused on improving employment outcomes for those ending their incarceration.  The Board will hear from state agencies and other reentry service providers, and from former incarcerates about what is working, what can be improved and where there are service gaps.  An open discussion on possible solution strategies will be the focus of the afternoon session of the meeting,  slated for 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Olympia Center in downtown Olympia, Thursday, Sept. 26 More meeting details coming soon!

GOVERNOR INSLEE SIGNS REENTRY 2030 EXECUTIVE ORDER SEPT 16 AT UW-TACOMA
Reentry 2030 is a national initiative that aims to dramatically improve reentry success for people exiting prison and those under supervision. Gov Inslee, the second governor to sign a 2030 E.O., directs the Department of Corrections and other agencies to ensure that gainful employment, secure housing, and adequate healthcare are available in order to reduce recidivism rates significantly. Read the executive order at 24-03 – Reentry_0.pdf (wa.gov).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    REGISTER FOR SEPT. 19 HEALTH WORKFORCE COUNCIL MEETING
The Health Workforce Council, staffed by the Workforce Board, will discuss what was learned at the Council’s in-person June meeting with a broader audience later this week. The Council meets virtually this Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will also seek to identify areas for further learning and discuss policy implications. The Council is working toward the development of broad rural health workforce strategies. Council staff will also offer a first look at new health workforce completion and licensing data. Please register in advance here. More about the Council.

OSPI OFFERS LISTEN AND LEARN OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is hosting nine regional High School and Beyond Planning (HSBP) Listen and Learn Stakeholder events across the state in partnership with each Educational Service District during September and October. Learn more about the HSBP universal online platform that is being developed in partnership with SchooLinks. OSPI would like to gather feedback about the planned site from a wide range of stakeholders from across the state. Registration is required to attend. Both in-person and virtual sessions are available.

REGISTER FOR CLEAN ENERGY WORKFORCE MEETING
Washington’s role in the U.S. Climate Alliance is on the agenda for the next Clean Energy Technology Workforce Advisory Committee meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 24 at The Evergreen State College in Olympia. The alliance is a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors focused on climate action. The committee’s agenda also features updates on clean energy workforce development projects around the state. To attend in person find details at: CETWAC | Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board

Workforce Development Newsletters

BROADBAND WEBINAR SET FOR TUESDAY, AUG. 27
It’s not too late to register for a webinar scheduled for 1-3 p.m., Tuesday afternoon to discuss workforce needs expected to come with the rollout of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) projects in Washington. The webinar is cohosted by the Washington State Broadband Office and the Workforce Board. This is an opportunity for employers and workforce development partners to discuss and plan. Register now. Get the agenda here.

SAVE THE DATE: WORKFORCE BOARD MEETS SEPT. 26
The Workforce Board will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Sept. 26. More details coming soon! Want to know more about who’s on our Board? Check out our Board Members page.

NEW WA TEEN ONLINE HEALTH HUB LAUNCHES
The Washington Department of Health has launched a new online teen health hub that includes a wide range of information on behavioral health, healthcare rights and access, family planning and more, all aimed at Washington young people. A Youth Advisory Council helped shape the site’s content. The site is also available in Spanish. More about the Youth Advisory Council.

HELP IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIESIf you’re interested in issues impacting employment for people with disabilities, now’s the time to apply to serve on the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment. The committee is recruiting a new chairperson and new members. Learn more and fill out the application. Deadline to apply is Sept. 13.

REGISTER NOW FOR WWA CONFERENCEThe Washington Workforce Association is holding its annual conference Nov. 12-14 in Tacoma, which brings together thought leaders from across the state to share ideas and celebrate workforce system successes. This year’s conference includes keynote speaker Charlene Li, a New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur. The Workforce Board is a conference sponsor and will host a Talent and Prosperity for All (TAP) Lounge, where conference participants can drop by, share experiences, and ask questions about the state’s new TAP 2024-28 workforce plan.

Workforce Development Newsletters

PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON ADDING DEMOGRAPHIC INFO TO HEALTH WORKFORCE DATA
In 2023 the Legislature passed HB 1503, based on a recommendation of the Health Workforce Council (staffed by the Workforce Board), to collect healthcare professionals’ demographic information at the time they apply for or renew their licenses. This new demographic requirement goes into effect January 1, 2025. The Department of Health has shared out proposed questions and responses and is holding two listening sessions this summer to gather feedback, including one slated for July 25. More: https://tinyurl.com/mrssad64

NOMINATE EMPLOYERS WHO RECRUIT, HIRE WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES
To spotlight the important role disability plays in workforce diversity, the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment has opened nominations for the 32nd Annual Governor’s Employer Awards. Nominations are open through July 31. The Governor’s Employer Awards program honors and celebrates the many and varied contributions Washington employers make to recruit, hire and advance workers with disabilities. The awards program honors employers of all sizes in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. It also honors one employer who supports youths with disabilities through employment preparation and job skills training. More: https://tinyurl.com/wv9s4d6f

WA COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM WINS FEDERAL CLIMATE CHANGE GRANT
The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) will receive a $9.3 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a climate-ready workforce. The NOAA grants aim to help Americans secure well-paying jobs to advance climate resilience in local communities, focusing on economically disadvantaged communities, people of color, and Indigenous people. Over the next four years, SBCTC will use the funds to support the “Tribal Stewards Program,” an initiative to cultivate a new generation of tribal leaders and non-tribal environmental co-stewards skilled in natural resources management. More: https://www.sbctc.edu/blogs/news-releases/2024/noaa-tribal-stewards.

ERDC ISSUES DUAL CREDIT AND CREDENTIAL ATTAINMENT RESEARCH BRIEF
A new research brief as part of the state’s Education Research and Data Center (ERDC) Dual Credit Portfolio provides a look at attainment of postsecondary credentials by different types of dual credit participation. It also considers the various pathways students take. Some of the key findings include an increase in associate degree attainment within three years of high school graduation, driven partially by those awarded during high school through Running Start. More: https://erdc.wa.gov/node/932?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

SEE YOU AT WA-ACTE SUMMER CONFERENCE IN SPOKANE
The Washington Association for Career and Technical Education (WA-ACTE) is holding its summer conference Aug. 4-7 in Spokane. Workforce Board staffers will be there, running a booth, engaging with CTE teachers and administrators, and providing several presentations. A presentation on the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship will announce the new scholarship management portal we’re launching later this year to make applying easier for students across the state. The Workforce Board is also a conference sponsor. More: https://www.wa-acte.org/summer

Workforce Development Newsletters

WORKFORCE BOARD MEETS NEXT WEEK TO TAKE ACTION ON LOCAL WORKFORCE PLANS
The Workforce Board will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, June 20 at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood to take action on local workforce development plans. The Board will also get an update on implementation of the state’s strategic workforce plan Talent and Prosperity for All (TAP), hear a presentation from DSHS on benefits cliffs and how they impact the workforce system, and discuss the Board’s TAP Workforce System Legislative Agenda. More details: https://wtb.wa.gov/workforce-board/board-meetings-agendas/

TAKE THE CAREER BRIDGE SURVEY TODAY!
The Workforce Board’s public-facing education and career portal www.CareerBridge.wa.gov is in the midst of a modernization effort that will make the site mobile friendly, boost usability, align it more closely with High School and Beyond Planning, and add a digital portfolio feature, among other upgrades. We’re curious about how you use Career Bridge and your thoughts on how to make this award-winning website even better. Take our survey at www.wtb.wa.gov or on Career Bridge home page. You could win a gift card plus the warm fuzzies of helping us…help you!

WORKFORCE BOARD ANNOUNCES WAVE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Students who applied for the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship were notified by email last week about whether they received this popular award that celebrates career and technical education and the value of real-world, hands-on learning. Some 121 students from across Washington were selected for the 2024 award, representing 47 legislative districts. Among the winners: 86 graduating high school seniors and 35 community and technical college students. This merit-based award pays up to $6,768 per year, for up to two years. More: https://wtb.wa.gov/wave/

ESD LAUNCHES UI CAMPAIGN AIMED AT MARGINALIZED JOBSEEKERS
Washington’s Employment Security Department is mailing letters to specific groups of marginalized job seekers who might qualify for unemployment benefits. The job seekers will receive the letter after they experience a job loss. This outreach campaign is part of a U.S. Department of Labor grant that aims to promote equitable access to unemployment benefits. In addition to these letters, Employment Security has also launched the Unemployment Insurance Navigator Program to reach potential unemployment claimants. More: https://tinyurl.com/3664kz37

SAVE THE DATE FOR WA-ACTE SUMMER CONFERENCE
The Washington Association for Career and Technical Education (WA-ACTE) is holding its summer conference Aug. 4-7 in Spokane. Get “summer savings” when you register by June 30. The Workforce Board is a conference sponsor and our staff will be running a booth, providing presentations, and engaging with CTE teachers and administrators from across the state. Join us and register at: https://www.wa-acte.org/summer

Workforce Development Newsletters

WORKFORCE BOARD SEEKS BIDS FOR REENTRY SERVICES FOCUSED ON IT SKILLS
The Workforce Board seeks competitive solicitations to provide employment reentry services for people in the prison system, focused on high-wage careers in the information technology industry. This is a one-year pilot project. Training and employment services are crucial for individuals nearing the end of their incarceration to build skills and better connections to employment, reducing recidivism. A pre-bid conference is set for May 29, with proposals due June 24. This project is part of a comprehensive digital literacy and equity in IT careers initiative. Find out more at: https://wtb.wa.gov/reentryrfp/

NEW REPORT EVALUATES ALIGNMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION, WORKFORCE
A new report co-authored by the Washington Student Achievement Council, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Workforce Board, and the Association of Washington Business highlights how well Washington’s postsecondary education system aligns with the demands of the labor market, among other factors. Key findings include that Washington is ranked fifth among states for the share of jobs requiring postsecondary education. The new report, Washington State Higher Education and Labor Market (HELM), replaces a biennial Skilled and Educated Workforce report with a new format and new elements, including regional outlooks in addition to the statewide overview. View the report under “Ongoing Reports” at https://wtb.wa.gov/research-resources/reports/.

 WORKFORCE BOARD SEEKS WIOA-FOCUSED POLICY ASSOCIATE
The Workforce Board seeks a Management Analyst 4 to join our mission-driven team as a Workforce Policy Associate. This position will monitor and evaluate state and federal laws and policies impacting workforce development, aligning with state objectives and federal compliance and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) mandates. This position will be responsible for tracking legislative changes, synthesizing complex information, and crafting impactful policy briefs and presentations. This is your chance to make an impact on shaping workforce policies and programs to benefit communities across the state. More: https://wtb.wa.gov/about-us/employment/

ANNUAL ENROLLMENT ENDING SOON FOR WA PREPAID EDUCATION SAVINGS PLAN
Washington families have until May 31 to enroll in the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET), the state’s 529 prepaid tuition program. This year, the purchase price of a GET unit exactly matches the payout value. This provides an opportunity to prepay future tuition costs by locking in today’s rates. Once a GET account is open, the last day to add units to an existing account at the current price of $120.16 is June 25, 2024. GET carries a state-backed guarantee that units purchased today will always keep pace with in-state college tuition costs. More details about GET and other savings plans: https://wsac.wa.gov/get

CHECK OUT SEATTLE AI WEEK STARTING JUNE 10
The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) and other partners have put together a weeklong exploration of AI careers in what they’re calling #SeattleAIWeek, starting June 10. More than 30 events are slated for that week, including a session on starting a career in AI on June 12. This is a free event aimed at college students and recent graduates who are interested in computer science careers. Details: https://www.washingtontechnology.org/event/seattle-ai-week/

Workforce Development Newsletters

WORKFORCE BOARD SEEKS WIOA-FOCUSED POLICY ASSOCIATE
The Workforce Board seeks a Management Analyst 4 to join our mission-driven team as a Workforce Policy Associate. This position will monitor and evaluate state and federal laws and policies impacting workforce development, aligning with state objectives and federal compliance and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) mandates. This position will be responsible for tracking legislative changes, synthesizing complex information, and crafting impactful policy briefs and presentations. This is your chance to make an impact on shaping workforce policies and programs to benefit communities across the region. More: https://wtb.wa.gov/about-us/employment/

WORKFORCE BOARD TO MEET MAY 1-2 NEAR QUINCY
The Workforce Board is holding a two-day strategic planning retreat May 1-2 in Central Washington and will discuss how to move forward with implementing the state’s new strategic workforce plan Talent and Prosperity for All (TAP) 2024-2028. Discussions also will center on legislative priorities to jumpstart TAP and how to best continue working on longstanding priorities, among other topics. More details soon: www.wtb.wa.gov

HEALTH WORKFORCE SENTINEL NETWORK FEEDBACK DEADLINE NEARS
Washington’s Health Workforce Sentinel Network is open and ready to hear from employers around the state about their greatest workforce needs. Twice a year, the Sentinel Network helps capture key recruitment, retention, and skills issues, 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. But don’t delay. This round of data collection closes April 24.  https://wa.sentinelnetwork.org/join  

DREAM CAREERS ART CONTEST: STUDENTS CAN WIN $529 IN EDUCATION SAVINGS
Washington College Savings Plans (WA529) is giving Washington students the chance to turn their artistic inspiration about future careers into winnings! The 3rd Annual WA529 “What is your Dream Job” Art Contest is open through May 1. Students can enter for a chance to win $529 toward their future education goals in a WA529 GET or DreamAhead account—college investment plans. To enter, students should create a work of original art depicting their future dream career. Entries will be judged based on creativity, unique style, artistic talent, and skill. Two students in each grade level Kindergarten through 12th grade will be selected to win. More details and past winning artwork at: 529.wa.gov/art-contest

SAVE THE DATE FOR MAY 9 ANEW SUMMIT
ANEW, which focuses on removing barriers for women and BIPOC community members interested in pursuing non-traditional career pathways such as construction and manufacturing, is holding an all-day Diversity and Inclusion Summit on May 9 in Seatac. Details: https://tinyurl.com/mvnwcccj

Workforce Development Newsletters

WAVE AWARD DEADLINE EXTENDED—MORE MONEY, MORE TIME!
The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship application deadline has been extended to March 19 thanks to an investment from the Legislature and Governor to provide additional funds for this year’s awardees. The $500,000 funding package passed this legislative session boosts the dollar value of the award for 2024 scholarship recipients, up to $5,500 per year or up to $11,000 for two years. The award recognizes high-performing career and technical education (CTE) students at both the high school and community and technical college level. The award amount is based on the tuition charged by the institution students attend. The new dollar figure and extended deadline are expected to draw more applicants. Help get the word out at https://wtb.wa.gov/wave/. But don’t delay. Deadline to apply is next Tuesday!

 WORKFORCE BOARD TO MEET MARCH 21 TO TAKE ACTION ON STATE WORKFORCE PLAN
The Workforce Board is expected to hear a legislative update, take action on proposed workforce policies, and discuss and potentially approve the state’s next strategic plan for workforce development, Talent and Prosperity for All-2024-2028, among other items.  Once the Board approves the state workforce plan, it will be submitted to the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education for their review. This in-person meeting runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 21, at Fire Station 95, 5911 Black Lake Blvd. in Olympia. More details coming soon at: www.wtb.wa.gov. More about TAP, including chance to provide public comment: https://wtb.wa.gov/planning-programs/washington-state-workforce-plan/

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SEEKS STUDENT BOARD MEMBER
The State Board of Education is seeking a current high school sophomore (rising junior) to serve a two-year term as a Student Representative. Eligible students should have a passion for improving K-12 education and be able to devote sufficient time, including but not limited to, participating in all scheduled Board meetings. The Board will consider the geographic and demographic diversity of the student’s school and the ability of the student to understand and communicate the experiences of a wide range of students, particularly those who have not been well served by our education system.  More details at: https://buff.ly/3P8H2Xz

STATE LAUNCHES NEW SMALL BUSINESS WEBSITE
The state has launched a new website (Business.WA.Gov) dedicated to helping small businesses connect with available tools and resources to start and successfully operate a business in Washington. Get help with setting up needed accounts with the state’s Department of Revenue, renew a business license, or estimate payroll using this one-stop website. Services are free and available via text, chat, email or phone.

WSAC ANNOUNCED AS WINNER OF GREAT ADMISSIONS REDESIGN CHALLENGE
Lumina Foundation has named the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) one of seven winners of The Great Admissions Redesign, a competition to revolutionize the admissions process and increase accessibility to higher education for all students. WSAC and its university partners, building on the data, analysis and preliminary stakeholder engagement, will design early and effective guaranteed financial aid messaging aligned with guaranteed admissions programs. More: https://tinyurl.com/3reahca7

Workforce Development Newsletters

WAVE AWARD DEADLINE NEARS: HELP SPREAD THE WORD TO CTE STUDENTS!
The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship application is open for 2024—but the deadline to apply is coming soon! The award recognizes high-performing career and technical education (CTE) students at both the high school and community and technical college level. The award covers up to two years of tuition, according to the tuition charged by the institution students will attend— with minimum awards set at $3,850 per year, or $7,700 over two years, although amounts may be higher or lower depending on the institution. Note: A proviso in both the Governor’s and legislative budgets may raise the fund pool and scholarship amounts. WAVE is administered by the Workforce Board in collaboration with the Washington Student Achievement Council, which disburses funds. The application deadline is March 10. See the Workforce Board’s WAVE page for details: https://wtb.wa.gov/wave/

 WORKFORCE BOARD TO MEET MARCH 21 TO TAKE ACTION ON STATE WORKFORCE PLAN
The Workforce Board is expected to hear a legislative update, take action on proposed workforce policies, and discuss and potentially approve the state’s next strategic plan for workforce development, Talent and Prosperity for All-2024-2028, among other items.  Once the Board approves the state workforce plan, it will be submitted to the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education for their review. This in-person meeting runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 21, at Fire Station 95, 59111 Black Lake Blvd. in Olympia. More details coming soon at: www.wtb.wa.gov.

STILL TIME TO SUBMIT COMMENTS ON STATE WORKFORCE PLAN—TAP
The state’s draft strategic plan for workforce development, Talent and Prosperity for All-2024-2028, is online and ready for your review—and comments. But don’t delay! The public comment period closes March 15. Get more details at: https://wtb.wa.gov/planning-programs/washington-state-workforce-plan/ and submit your comments to tap.plan@wtb.wa.gov. Your voice matters!

NEW WORKFORCE SYSTEM POSTER AVAILABLE NOW!
The Workforce Board’s popular workforce system poster is freshly updated and ready for 2024. Make sure to order copies of this handy overview of Washington’s largest, publicly funded workforce development programs, including participant employment rates and earnings, federal and state funding totals, and a list of administering agencies and providers. The poster, printed this year in “Barbie-pink” is also known as “America’s favorite matrix,” at least among staff. The poster is free and perfect for cubicle and office walls. Email us at workforce@wtb.wa.gov to request your own copies. View the poster, including a digital PDF, at: https://wtb.wa.gov/planning-programs/washington-workforce-system/

GOVERNOR ISSUES PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING CTE
Gov. Inslee has issued a proclamation that designates this month as career and technical education (CTE) month, reflecting the national designation of February as a month to celebrate hands-on, career-focused learning in middle and high schools, as well as community and technical colleges. Inslee’s formal proclamation praises CTE for helping ensure that “employers have access to a qualified workforce” and that CTE “offers students the opportunity to gain the academic, technical, and employability skills necessary for true career readiness.” Read the full proclamation at: https://www.wa-acte.org/images/CTE_Month_2024_Proclamation.pdf

Workforce Development Newsletters

WORKFORCE BOARD TO HEAR WAVE SUCCESS STORIES FEBRUARY 15
The Workforce Board will hear directly from students who received a Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship, with a focus on the impact the scholarship is making on both their education and career goals. The WAVE presentation is part of the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, February 15. This in-person meeting will be held at the Association of Washington Business in Olympia, and will also feature talks from AWB president Kris Johnson and April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council. The Board will also receive a legislative update and hear about public feedback to the draft state strategic workforce plan, Talent and Prosperity for All. More details coming soon at www.wtb.wa.gov.

WAVE AWARD LAUNCHES: HELP SPREAD THE WORD TO CTE STUDENTS!
The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship application is open for 2024! The award recognizes high-performing career and technical education (CTE) students at both the high school and community-and-technical college level. The award covers up to two years of tuition, according to the tuition charged by the institution students will attend— with minimum awards set at $3,850 per year, or $7,700 over two years. WAVE is administered by the Workforce Board in collaboration with the Washington Student Achievement Council, which handles the disbursement of funds. The application deadline is March 10. In addition to completing the application, housed on theWashBoard.org, students will need to submit two letters of recommendation and ensure their CTE teacher or instructor signs off on their eligibility via a certification form. See the Workforce Board’s WAVE page for details: https://wtb.wa.gov/wave/

NEW WORKFORCE SYSTEM POSTER AVAILABLE NOW!
The Workforce Board’s popular workforce system poster is freshly updated and ready for 2024. Make sure to order copies of this handy overview of Washington’s largest, publicly funded workforce development programs, including participant employment rates and earnings, federal and state funding totals, and a list of administering agencies and providers. The poster, printed this year in “Barbie-pink” is also known as “America’s favorite matrix,” at least among staff. The poster is free and perfect for cubicle and office walls. Email us at workforce@wtb.wa.gov to request your own copies. View the poster, including a digital PDF, at: https://wtb.wa.gov/planning-programs/washington-workforce-system/

PUBLIC COMMENT OPEN FOR PERKINS STATE DETERMINED PERFORMANCE LEVELS
Now is the chance to weigh in on performance indicators as part of the Carl D. Perkins V 2024-2028 draft plan. This federal plan addresses career and technical education (CTE) at both the high school and postsecondary levels. States are required to set and report on core indicators of performance, including the graduation rate of CTE students, along with academic proficiency in reading, math and science, among other categories. The draft plan includes State Determined Performance Levels (SDPLs), along with proposed targets for the next four years. Public comment ends Feb. 29. Email your comments to workforce@wtb.wa.gov. Please include “Perkins” in the subject line.

ESD WEBINAR FOR NEW EMPLOYERS INCLUDES HELP WITH OCCUPATION CODESThe state’s Employment Security Department is holding an unemployment insurance webinar aimed at new employers from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. The webinar includes tips on how to file quarterly unemployment reports, information on employer tax rates, and how to include Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes, or job titles, in reports. These newly collected codes are helping inform the state on what kind of work is being done in every corner of Washington, enabling the workforce system to better gauge where there are new and emerging skill gaps, along with worker supply and demand issues by region, among other items. More: https://esd.wa.gov/employer-taxes/about-soc. Webinar: http://tinyurl.com/mr2dvfuj

Workforce Development News Releases

WORKFORCE BOARD SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON STATE WORKFORCE PLAN
The Workforce Board seeks broad public input on Washington’s next workforce plan, Talent and Prosperity for All (TAP), 2024-2028. Public comment is open through March 15. Comments can be sent to tap.plan@wtb.wa.gov. The TAP plan helps guide strategic thinking around employment, education, training and related services as part of the state’s publicly funded workforce development system. The plan will be finalized later this spring and sent to the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor for approval. View the draft plan, including an executive summary overview, and get more details at: https://wtb.wa.gov/planning-programs/washington-state-workforce-plan/.

NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS WA HEALTH WORKFORCE ISSUES
The Health Workforce Council, staffed by the Workforce Board, has issued a new annual report that outlines Washington’s health workforce issues, including employer needs, health professional training program graduation and licensure trends. The report also advances policy recommendations focused on educational debt burden for health care workers, along with access to childcare, housing, and other supports. Read the report at:  https://wtb.wa.gov/planning-programs/health-workforce-council/ (see the box in green on the right). The Health Workforce Council’s main roles include providing updates to policymakers on health workforce program educational output along with employer needs, tracking progress on implementation of new programs, and bringing together key stakeholders to develop and advocate for sustainable solutions.

NEW ROUND OF FUNDING FOR REGIONAL CHALLENGE GRANT
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has announced a new round of funding available for Regional Challenge Grants. Following the selection in 2022 of an initial eight partnerships, WSAC will invest in up to six additional regional partnerships working to increase postsecondary credential attainment to 70 percent in Washington. Grant amounts may range from $50,000 to $450,000 depending on the structure of a partnership and the activities proposed. The new funding cycle is now open, with Letters of Interest due by midnight, Feb. 16. An information session is slated for Feb. 8. More details: http://tinyurl.com/bddh7726

SAVE THE DATE: SKILLS USA STATE LEADERSHIP AND SKILLS CONFERENCE MARCH 22
SkillsUSA Washington is holding a state leadership and skills conference on Friday, March 22 at the McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood. You’re invited to watch skilled and technical students in action, with over 95 competitions across 12 career clusters. More information: https://skillsusawashington.org/championships/. To RSVP for a VIP tour: http://tinyurl.com/2xc6ukbr. Questions? Contact karmen@skillsusawashington.org.