Reports
As independent evaluators of Washington’s workforce system, we have a dedicated research staff who collect and interpret data, and publish a variety of reports on workforce development issues. All reports are free to download.
Featured Reports
Washington Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Annual Performance Narrative Report
This report is submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor by the Washington state Employment Security Deparment, the Workforce Board, and Washington’s local Workforce Development Centers.
Digital Resilience in the American Workforce
The Digital Resilience in the American Workforce report highlights findings on adult digital literacy instruction.
Linked-in-Learning Evaluation
This evaluation of the Linked-in-Learning pilot program was completed in Spring 2023.
Workforce Economic Recovery Plan 2020
Check out Washington’s 2020 Workforce Economic Recovery Plan to help the state’s economy recover from COVID-19.
Net Impact: Participant Outcomes vs. Control Group
The Net Impact Study shows whether workforce programs lead to higher employment rates and higher wages among participants when compared to a control group with similar characteristics who did not participate in a workforce program. This detailed study is conducted every five years. Read the 2021 Net Impact Study.
Washington Retail Workforce Report
The retail industry has undergone significant change since the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying core skills, job position categories, and education opportunities helps to inform what will be necessary for the transformed industry to adapt.
Integrated Data Sharing
Job seekers and employers often face multiple intake systems when interacting with the state’s workforce system. These challenges can discourage customers and slow progress. The Workforce Board is committed to improving the workforce development system by addressing the pressing need for better interagency coordination. This can help ensure a fluid, efficient, and robust delivery of workforce development services for taxpayers. Read the latest report.
Retail Industry Workforce Analysis
Read the 2022 preliminary report. A final report is due to the Legislature toward the end of 2023.
Data Driven Insight: Evaluating the Dun and Bradstreet Toolkit
Can business insight gleaned from detailed data make a difference in keeping businesses operating and thriving, even during an unprecedented pandemic? This interagency project tested whether third-party business analytics software would improve business engagement, along with performance outcomes, across Washington’s workforce development system. Read the 2021 report.
Behavioral Health Workforce Report
The Behavioral Health Workforce Report provides recommendations for Washington’s behavioral health workforce.
Ongoing Reports
Health Workforce Council Annual Report
The Health Workforce Council was created to address the state’s chronic shortage of skilled health care workers and make recommendations to help all Washingtonians have access to quality healthcare. Read the Council’s 2020 Annual Report.
Business Outreach - COVID-Related Impacts Report
The Workforce Board launched a Business Outreach Project in April, 2020 focused on the COVID-19 crisis with the goal of gaining a ground-level understanding of the impacts of the pandemic on Washington businesses and workers. Read the report findings.
Common Intake and Workforce Services Integration
| Major Occupational Group Mid-level education |
Supply | Ave. Annual Demand 2016-2021 |
Projected Annual Under supply |
| Installation, Maintenance & Repair | 621 | 3,147 | -2,526 |
| Manufacturing & Production | 806 | 1,161 | -355 |
| Health Care Occupations in Shortage* | 511 | 983 | -472 |
| Science Technology | 24 | 271 | -247 |
*Includes only mid-level health occupations with projected shortages.
Notes: Science and Technology demand may be partly met from baccalaureate programs, including both dropouts and degree holders.
It is not currently possible to reliably project demand for the following occupational groups:
-Construction- due to uncertainties about the overhang of construction workers unemployed during the recession.
-Preschool workers – demand projections do not distinguish training levels below bachelor’s degree.
Higher Education and Labor Market Report
Each year, Workforce Board research staff conduct an analysis to identify mid-level, high employer demand occupation groups. The list of high-demand occupations helps the state prioritize investments of workforce development programs and services.
The Workforce Board contributes to a joint report, along with the Washington Student Achievement Council and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, that highlights high employer demand programs. Read the report: Higher Education and Labor Market Report.
Outdoor Industry Jobs Report
This report published in 2018 provides a ground level look at employment in the agriculture, natural resources, environment, and outdoor recreation sectors. The Workforce Board was tasked by the Legislature to conduct this comprehensive study. The report was authored by Workforce Board research staff along with staff from Washington State University’s Social and Economic Sciences Research Center.
Future of Work Report
The Future of Work report explores and develops policies for shared prosperity among Washington’s businesses, workers, and communities.
Opportunity Partnership Report
Workforce Training Results
Workforce Training Results tracks the results and taxpayer return on investment for 12 of the state’s largest workforce programs.
Washington Employer Survey: Needs & practices
Every two years, the Workforce Board surveys employers on a range of topics including hiring challenges, employee skill gaps and productivity pressures. View the report.
Eligible Training Provider List
Washington’s Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List is the official list of training programs in Washington eligible to provide training to individuals who qualify for:
- An Individual Training Account voucher funded by Title I-B of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
- Additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits through the state’s Training Benefits program.
The Workforce Board’s research staff evaluates training programs for performance every year. Outcomes include: completion rates, employment rates, and wages. Programs that meet state-determined thresholds are included on the ETP list. Those that do not meet the standards are removed from the list.
The list is part of Washington Career Bridge. About half of the 6,500 education programs on Career Bridge have been evaluated by Workforce Board staff for performance to help consumers make informed decisions about education and training, and select programs that are likely to pay off in living-wage careers.
Read the current ETP policy here.
Carl Perkins Consolidated Annual Report
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 the workplace. The Workforce Board compiles an annual report with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides two primary funding sources for employment and training. The Workforce Board, in conjunction with the state’s Employment Security Department and regional Workforce Development Councils, compiles an annual report on how those dollars are used to help Washington residents succeed in the labor market. View the 2021 WIOA annual report.
Aerospace Training Report
The Aerospace Training Report details the supply, demand, and outcomes for Washington’s aerospace training programs.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Check the archives.