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News Releases 

Washington unprepared to care for quickly growing senior population, new report shows 

Apply today for WAVE scholarship

Washington Workforce Board launches Job Quality survey 

Workforce Board awards $1.6 million in scholarships 

Workforce Board highlights $1.4 billion public investment in workforce training 

WAVE scholarship application portal now open 

Public comment period open for state workforce plan, Talent and Prosperity for All 

New campaign highlights value of long-term care nursing careers

The Workforce Board has launched a new statewide marketing campaign aimed at generating interest in long-term care nursing careers. The campaign was authorized by the 2023 Legislature as part of the state’s continued investment to address shortages in the long-term care industry.

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Washington Workforce Watch

Read more about Washington workforce issues at the agency’s news blog.

Workforce Development Newsletters

May News

Workforce Board retreat highlights voices from business, labor and local leaders

On May 15, the Workforce Board will gather in Tumwater for a full-day retreat focused on workforce development strategies for the year ahead. The morning session will feature insights from business, labor, and local workforce development boards, providing a broad perspective on workforce challenges and opportunities. In the afternoon, board members will explore how these diverse viewpoints can shape legislative priorities and guide the next steps for Talent and Prosperity for All, Washington’s strategic workforce plan. Learn more details and RSVP here.

Clean energy committee meets May 6; industry surveys, policy discussion on agenda

The Clean Energy Technology Workforce Advisory Committee meets virtually from 10-11:30 a.m. on May 6. Workforce Board staff will present updates on a new survey focused on hiring and training needs for both employers and workers in the energy sector. Updates on the Washington Climate Corps Network and policy discussions are also on the agenda. Contact the Workforce Board’s Ilene Munk for more information.

Healthcare employers: Sentinel Network needs your input

Washington’s annual data collection effort targeting employers’ health workforce needs is now open. The Health Workforce Sentinel Network seeks to understand employer challenges related to recruitment, retention and other needs. All types of healthcare facilities, both traditional and non-traditional, are encouraged to participate. The results help lawmakers and planners make better decisions to support a strong healthcare system in Washington. Participate in the Sentinel Network today. The Sentinel Network is an initiative of Washington’s Health Workforce Council, conducted collaboratively by the Workforce Board and the University of Washington’s Center for Health Workforce Studies.

Washington Award for Vocational Excellence scholarship: Record number of applications 

A record number of Washington students have applied for the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship. This is a state-funded merit scholarship for top career and technical education students. When the application window closed March 17, some 570 students had applied. That’s a 71% increase compared to 2024. (There were 114 applicants in 2022, 250 in 2023 and 334 in 2024.) A new application portal, ongoing outreach and increased awareness resulted in interest from all over the state. Each of Washington’s 49 legislative districts are represented – urban and rural, Eastern and Western Washington. As many as 147 students can receive the award each year – three from each legislative district. This year’s awardees will be announced in the coming weeks.

Matrix poster: Apprenticeship programs deliver outstanding results

In case you missed it: National Apprenticeship Day was April 30. In honor of this annual event, the Workforce Board highlighted its recent Matrix poster which shows Washington registered apprenticeship programs deliver a return of $7.80 for every dollar invested. Apprentices have outstanding employment rates and annual earnings among the many programs evaluated by the Workforce Board. Order a free copy of the Matrix poster today.

March News

Health Workforce Council meeting focuses on rural youth

The Health Workforce Council, staffed by the Workforce Board, is holding its first council meeting of the year from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 1. Register in advance to attend this virtual meeting, which will set the stage for this year’s work to develop recommendations that enable rural students and workers to succeed in training programs while remaining in their communities. Get the agenda and register today.

Workforce Board provides updates via Legislative Tracker

The Workforce Board’s Legislative Tracker continues to chart the 2025 legislative session, including key workforce bills we’re tracking. You can also view recent testimony on TVW under the Legislative Testimony tab and get more details on a unified policy agenda for 2025 to advance the goals of Washington’s workforce plan, Talent and Prosperity for All (TAP).

New campaign highlights the value of long-term care nursing careers

The Workforce Board has launched a new statewide marketing campaign aimed at generating interest in long-term care nursing careers. The 2023 Legislature authorized the campaign as part of the state’s continued investment to address shortages in the long-term care industry. Check it out: https://bethereasonwa.org/

Read our Workforce Board blog on Career Bridge updates coming soon!

Check out our latest blog post featuring testimony on the upcoming rollout of a more dynamic, mobile-friendly, feature-rich www.CareerBridge.wa.gov. Workforce Board Director of Workforce System Advancement Marina Parr recently spoke to the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee about the major redesign and relaunch of the state’s public-facing career and education platform coming in June. Read the blog!

Workforce Board highlights challenges in Long-Term Care report

The Workforce Board has released the 2024 Long-Term Care Workforce Initiative annual report that describes the challenges and highlights potential solutions for service providers to Washington’s population of aging individuals, individuals with disabilities, survivors of catastrophic illnesses or injuries, their families, the healthcare system, and communities at large. For more than two years, the Workforce Board has convened a range of representatives from long-term care services, healthcare, education, state agencies, and direct care providers to dissect this growing problem and help find solutions. Read the report and get more information about the initiative.

February News

WAVE award launches, help spread the word to CTE students

The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship application is open for 2025! The award recognizes high-performing career and technical education (CTE) students at both the high school and community-and-technical college level. Many factors determine awards, including appropriated funding from the state Legislature and where students go to school. At a minimum, students will receive about $3,900 per year, for two years, or $7,800 total. 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. 

Workforce Board to hold virtual Feb. 18 meeting

The Workforce Board will hold a remote meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The Board will hear a presentation from the Department of Commerce about the Community Reinvestment Program, learn more about next steps in efforts to make credentials more transparent and navigable, and get progress updates on Talent and Prosperity for All, or TAP, legislative agenda. Get more details and a link to the meeting.

New workforce system poster available now!

The Workforce Board’s popular workforce system poster is freshly updated and ready for 2025. 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 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, today.

Public comment open for Perkins State Determined Performance Levels

Now is the chance to weigh in on 2026 performance indicators as part of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, a federal plan that 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. Public comment ends March 14. Email your comments to the agency’s Perkins team. Please include “Perkins” in the subject line.

State Broadband Office hosts office hours Feb. 12

The Washington State Broadband Office will host Office Hours from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12. During the first half of this virtual session, Sue Kane, Chief Executive Officer of NCW Tech Alliance, and Kendra Watson, Center Director for the Cascade Job Corps Centers, will present an overview of their workforce development initiatives followed by a Q&A with the audience. Sign up for WSBO Office Hours to receive a Zoom link to participate.

Workforce partners share Job Quality survey far and wide

Darcy Hoffman (above) of Workforce Southwest shares a simple message: Please take our new Job Quality survey! Hoffman serves as co-chair of the Workforce Board’s Job Quality Work Group, one of several focused on executing Talent and Prosperity for All, the state’s strategic workforce plan for 2024-28. The survey asks Washington workers and employers what matters most in determining job quality, from pay and working conditions to schedules and job security. Employers are encouraged to share it with their workforce. A Spanish language version is available here.

Check out Workforce Board legislative presentations

The legislative session is underway and so are we. Be sure to check out presentations from Workforce Board staff as part of our Workforce Watch blog. More coming to a screen near you!

Financial aid applications now open; Apply today 

The federal financial aid form, FAFSA, along with the WASFA, available to undocumented Washington residents, is now open to applicants. Encourage students to apply to maximize financial aid. Many types of aid are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. These forms must be filled out to access Washington’s generous WA College Grant, which provides financial assistance for eligible students attending college in Washington. Note: A family of four making up to $131,000 a year may be eligible for grant aid. Learn more about FAFSA and WASFA at the Washington Student Achievement Council’s Apply page.

SAVE THE DATE: February 18 Workforce Board meeting

February will be here before we know it. Make sure to carve out time for the next Workforce Board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18. This meeting will be remote—so no matter where you are, you’re welcome to join us. Meeting details coming soon!

Research on clean energy jobs featured

The Workforce Board’s Clean Energy Technology Workforce Advisory Committee meets virtually 10-11:30, Thursday. Employer surveys, a transition-to-retirement feasibility study, and other research topics are featured at this week’s meeting (Jan. 23). See the agenda and find the zoom link at CETWAC | Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board.

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