NW LABOR AREA SUMMARIES - 2007 archive
NW Labor Area Summaries April 2008
NW Labor Area Summaries March 2008
NW Labor Area Summaries February 2008
NW Labor Area Summaries January 2008
NW Labor Area Summaries December 2007
NW Labor Area Summaries November 2007  
NW Labor Area Summaries October 2007 
NW Labor Area Summaries September 2007 
NW Labor Area Summaries July 2007 
NW Labor Area Summaries June 2007 

(Archived February 2008)
Pacific Mountain WDC Wins a $5m WIRED Grant
On June 20, 2007, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao announced that Washington's Pacific Mountain region (Grays Harbor, Mason, Pacific, Lewis, and Thurston counties) is one of 13 regions in the country to win a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED).   "The WIRED program recognizes that local economies often transcend geographical boundaries," said Secretary Chao. The WIRED Grant will assist the Pacific Mountain region to:
-Create a flexible and technologically perceptive workforce
-Promote innovation and entrepreneurship
-Create an Enterprise Network to accelerate regional economic growth
-Harness the synergy of the Alliance for Innovation to leverage resources and promote a Pacific Mountain identity "We expect that this grant will be a catalyst in forging a new way of doing business within our region," said Mike Kennedy, Executive Director of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, sponsor of the regional Alliance. He added, "This investment will allow the region to implement a number of innovative initiatives through the collaborative efforts of business, labor, education, and economic and workforce development professionals. Industry will drive our problem-solving processes to ensure that we are meeting businesses' needs."  Other regions receiving the grant are located in Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, New Jersey, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Virginia, and Wisconsin.    (posted 7/16/07)

(Archived February 2008)
Press Release:  NW Workforce Area receives $2.7m to aid workers. 08/07

(Archived February 2008)
2007 Summer Youth Health Careers Camp photos
2007 Summer Youth Construction/Manufacturing photos
Veterans Job Fair WorkSource Skagit - 6/5/2007 photo

(Archived February 2008)
Regional economic development strategies support Northwest Marine Industry 08/07

(Archived February 2008)
FACT SHEET - the effects of proposed cuts to WIA funding for Washington State & the NW Area. 08/07

(Archived February 2008)
WorkSource Whidbey Sponsors 16th Job Fair

(Archived February 2008)
Appropriations battle may be resolved this week 12/07

(Archived February 2008)
WIA Rescission:  House fails to override President's veto 11/07

(Archived February 2008)
Congress Approves FY 08 Budget - read National Workforce Association newsletter article   

(Archived August 2007)
National Youth Employment Coalition Youth Notes May '06 

(Archived August 2007)
Youth Resource Connection  Click Here

(Archived August 2007)
Washington Employers Say What Skills/Education They Need  (2004)
What are employers looking for when they hire new staff? Are they finding the skills they need, or just making do? The Workforce Board’s biennial survey of Washington firms answers the questions—and provides a wealth of information on the ‘soft’ skills required, the educational levels in demand, the training provided, and the industries and workforce development areas experiencing the most difficulties.
According to the report, about one in three of all Washington employers experienced difficulty finding qualified workers in 2005. As in previous studies, the shortage of qualified workers was especially acute for jobs requiring postsecondary education, and those with occupation-specific skills. Among employers having difficulty finding qualified applicants, 22 percent could not find workers with the necessary occupation-specific skills they needed.
The publication is available in two formats. A printed ‘main facts’ format entitled What Employers Need is available free of charge by calling 360.753.5662. A more detailed version, complete with survey questionnaire and breakdown by industry and by workforce development area, can be downloaded at www.wtb.wa.gov/Pubs_Evaluations.asp


(Archived August 2007)
The National Governors Association’s Center for Best Practices has produced a Side-by-Side Comparison of Titles I and III Key State and Local Provisions  in the Workforce Investment Act Reauthorization Bills and Proposals (Compares Current Law to House-Passed and Senate-Passed Bills and Administration’s CAA Proposal).

(Archived August 2007)
The Northwest Workforce Development Council and staff are pleased to present the Washington Intracoastal Industries Initiative (WI³) application submitted by Governor Gregoire for the U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED), third generation.  The high growth industries and economic sectors that are the focus of WI³ strategies include a vast array of enterprises that make up or support the marine trades and other advanced manufacturing of composites and wood products.   (4/18/07)
NWDC application
Governor's Letter                   
To learn more about the WIRED initiative visit the DOL website: www.doleta.gov/wired/   (3/22/07)

(Archived August 2007)
Washington Employers Say What Skills/Education They Need
What are employers looking for when they hire new staff? Are they finding the skills they need, or just making do? The Workforce Board’s biennial survey of Washington firms answers the questions—and provides a wealth of information on the ‘soft’ skills required, the educational levels in demand, the training provided, and the industries and workforce development areas experiencing the most difficulties.

According to the report, about one in three of all Washington employers experienced difficulty finding qualified workers in 2005. As in previous studies, the shortage of qualified workers was especially acute for jobs requiring postsecondary education, and those with occupation-specific skills. Among employers having difficulty finding qualified applicants, 22 percent could not find workers with the necessary occupation-specific skills they needed.

The publication is available in two formats. A printed ‘main facts’ format entitled What Employers Need is available free of charge by calling 360.753.5662. A more detailed version, complete with survey questionnaire and breakdown by industry and by workforce development area, can be downloaded at www.wtb.wa.gov/Pubs_Evaluations.asp.


(Archived December 2006)
Follow link to article in Sept 2006 Northwest Business Monthly:  Experience versus Education - What Will Get You Hired?   (9/13/06)

Marine Manufacturing & Technology Industry Skill Panel 2006 Regional Workforce Conference, August 22, '06.
Industry leaders convened with workforce and economic development professionals to review strategies for recruitment, training and retention.  A current and emerging issues forum highlighted key industry needs.
(9/11/06)

(Archived September 2006)
Teen Job Fair at WorkSource Skagit May 18
news release       photos

(Archived September 2006)
WorkSource Skagit Grand Opening March 24

(Archived September 2006)
Business Customer Satisfaction - Pilot Report
Follow link to information about this important initiative.  Focus & Essential Facts documents

(Archived September 2006)
WWA Press Release: 
Congress Supports Workforce Development Councils

(Archived September 2006)
Microsoft Unlimited Potential Pilot Project
Status Report  
Microsoft Unlimited Potential is a global program that seeks to improve learning opportunities for individuals outside traditional education settings, by providing technology-related skills training through community technology and learning centers. (more>>>)

(Archived September 2006)
Business & Workforce Preparation: The Health Partnership Full Story
The Northwest Workforce Development Council and the Northwest Alliance for Health Care Skills, in partnership with local school districts and Community and Technical colleges, are providing seven Summer Health Career Camps for middle and high school students. Full Story

(Archived September 2006)
The State of Washington Workforce Board, with the state Employment Security Department, has released the 2005-07 State Plan for WIA Title I-B and the Wagner-Peyser Act. This State Plan describes Washington State's strategic direction and service delivery plans for the next two years. The plan was developed collaboratively by the Employment Security Department and the Workforce Board, with consultation with business, labor, and workforce development stakeholders. Governor Gregoire signed the plan's certification approval form on May 24.
The plan and the Governor's certification form can be accessed by going to the Workforce Board's homepage at www.wtb.wa.gov  or at http://www.wtb.wa.gov/WIAstateplanfinal05.html 
This Internet URL not only posts the plan but it also includes direct Internet links to Washington State publications and WIA policies referenced in the plan including a web link to "High Skills, High Wages 2004: Washington's Strategic Plan for Workforce Development."
(Archived September 2006)

Press Release: “Nuclear Option” Compromise Could Help Local Economy, Jobs
(Archived September 2006)

Side-by-side comparison of WIA Reauthorization Bills and Proposals
(Archived September 2006)

The National Association of Workforce Boards (http://nawb.org/)  has provided a WIA Reauthorization Update at  http://www.nawb.org/pdf/2005_WIAupdate_050307.pdf

• Securing Key Industry Leaders for Learning Skills
  Executive Summary
  The Northwest Workforce Development Council received a skills grant to analyze three regional industries and join with existing community business groups to identify the current and future labor market and skills needs of these industries. The industries are:
  Manufacturing / Construction / Information Technology
  Full Report - PDF format, 955k Large File
  Appendices - Zip File, 1.2 MB
• One Stop Business Center
  Resources to help start your business, make it grow, manage your resources, and maintain a safe environment for your employees.
• Youth at Risk Report / April 2004
  The Northwest Workforce Development Council (NWDC), as part of its Youth Integration Grant, obtained youth client feedback through surveys, completed data analysis, and developed next-step action items to improve performance on predictive indicators for the youth-at-risk population.
• Money Available for Construction Businesses!
  The NWDC offers funding to local construction companies to upgrade employee skills! (8-10-05)  Details>>>

Employers Know About, Use and Are Satisfied with One-Stop Services (Click here for story)
	One Stop Business Center Resources to help start your business, make it grow, manage your resources, and maintain a safe environment for your employees.
	The Job Description Writer helps employers write job descriptions. After you enter required information, a final job description containing the job title, job location information, tasks and required or preferred knowledges is produced.
	Boat Builders Conference to Showcase Worker Training Programs National and local experts share how to cut costs and address skills gap Full Story  > > >
	Quick access to the most useful links for businesses covering topics ranging from Hiring, Labor Laws, On-The-Job Training, Employee Training, and Economic Development.   Full Story
	Complete Report in PDF  Strategic Plan Update To The 2000 – 2005 Plan April 2003
The Northwest Workforce Development Council has completed a draft updating our 2000-2005 strategic plan to ensure it is aligned with the state’s  2002 edition of their strategic plan “High Skills, High Wages:  Our Agenda For Action.”  The original local plan intact has been kept intact and updates have been added in an appendix. Click Here for complete report in PDF format. Market Driven Business Services The marketplace is the starting point to define the workplace needs of employers and the escalating skill requirements for workers. Full Story April - May Newsletter of The WorkForce Alliance in PDF Testimonials Read what other business customers are saying about the WorkSource system here in the Northwest.

• Strategic Plan   
  Update To The 2000 – 2005 Plan
  Operational Plan
  Updates 
  Workforce Development Council Strategic and Operations Draft Plans
• WorkFirst Bridges with Economic and Workforce Development
  In order to encourage stronger connections between economic development and the state's welfare-to-work initiative, the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development has made $150,000 available for competitive grants among Local Planning Areas and economic development organizations.
• Workforce Tools of the Trade Acronym Glossary
  Ever wondered what all the acronyms meant used in the Workforce Development System? Go here to see a complete list, along with definitions.  Click Here
• 
  Sector Profiles     Sector Summaries
  Sector analysis of Whatcom County industries by Hart Hodges at the Center for Economics and Business Research at Western Washington University.
• Northwest Boat Builders
  Workforce Training Conference
• Yacht Builders Gain New Skills Story  /  News Release
• Intalco Schedule of Services
• NW Regional Consortium Wins Award for a Workforce Best Practice Good Idea
• Alliance Pulse - Winter 2005
• President Bush WIA Reauthorization  The authorization of WIA expires on September 30, 2003. Full Story
• May 2003 - TANF Side by Side  If you are interested in a side-by-side comparison of the work provisions in current law and the various TANF reauthorization proposals, go to CLASP.  Click Here.

Legislative Update Winter 2005

Administration Releases FY06 Budget Proposal
The Bush Administration released its $2.6 trillion Fiscal Year 2006 budget proposal this week. The President’s budget proposes to eliminate or reduce 150 domestic spending programs. Overall, funding for Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) would be cut by about 4.5%. Following are some highlights of the ETA budget proposal:

WIA Plus Consolidated Grant Program Created
The WIA Adult, Dislocated Worker, Youth programs, and Employment Services are to be consolidated into one grant program totaling about $3.9 billion, down from $4.1 billion. This represents a decrease of about $150 million. In addition, states will have the option of a consolidation plus program folding in certain other federal job training and employment programs that are currently administered by the Departments of Labor, Education, and Agriculture, such as Vocational Rehabilitation ($2.6 billion), Adult Education ($200 million), Veteran’s Employment & Training ($192 million) and Trade Adjustment Assistance Training ($259 million).

YouthBuild
The YouthBuild program, currently administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be transferred to the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA). ($59 million)

Workforce-Related Funding
Several WIA programs were ‘zero-funded’ in the President’s request, while others received budget decreases. Below are funding levels for workforce-related programs as compared to FY05:
• *Adult Employment and Training-–zero-funded. Approximately $890 million decrease.
• *Dislocated Worker--zero-funded. $1.3 billion decrease.
• *Youth Activities-—zero-funded. $986 million decrease.
• Migrant Seasonal Farmworker--zero-funded. $76 million decrease.
• Community-Based Job Training Grants--$250 million. $2 million increase^^.
• Job Corps--$1.517 Billion. $29 million decrease.
• Indian/Native American-–Level-funded at $54 million.
• Employment Service (ES)--$15.9 million. 98% decrease.
• *ES Grants to States--zero-funded. $781 million decrease.
*Due to their inclusion in the WIA consolidation proposal, these programs were zero-funded in the FY06 Budget.
^^Formula funding for community colleges through the Department of Education is zeroed out by the elimination of the Carl Perkins Act.