OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department this month celebrates the importance of workforce development programs in Washington.
September marks National Workforce Development Month. Workforce development programs play a key role in:
- Building our economy.
- Creating a pipeline to quality jobs.
- Supporting underserved communities.
The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) created Workforce Development Month in 2005. The organization aimed to bring together business, labor, education and other critical partners to showcase the impact workforce programs have on the American workforce.
Employment Security is one of many agencies and organizations that serve Washington’s workforce, which includes people who are either working or looking for work.
“The workforce system is made up of many local partners all working together to link job seekers and employers with education, training and support,” Employment Security Interim Commissioner Martin McMurry said. “This month, we celebrate this partnership and all the people who make a difference supporting our state’s workforce.”
Washington’s workforce development system
A key part of Washington’s workforce development system is called WorkSource. It’s a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies. A network of more than 60 WorkSource offices across the state provide employment and training services to job seekers and employers. Learn more on the WorkSource website.
In addition to Employment Security, the WorkSource system includes:
- Local workforce development boards, represented by the Washington Workforce Association. Find a local workforce development board in your area at the Washington Workforce website.
- The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Check out the board’s website.
- Other state agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and community-based groups.
Regional partnerships make each WorkSource office unique. They cater to local customers – job seekers and employers – with training programs and more. Customers can go to the WorkSource website to find more information about training programs.
The Washington Workforce Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization made up of 12 local workforce development boards. Those boards aim to advance the economic health of their communities through a skilled workforce. Learn more about the Washington Workforce Association on its website.
Employment Security provides unemployment and paid family and medical leave benefits to eligible claimants, detailed labor market information and analysis, and more. Learn about benefits and check out labor market information on the Employment Security website.
Washington’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, made up of governor-appointed members, advises the governor and state Legislature on workforce development policy. It makes sure the state’s workforce services and programs work together and it evaluates their performance.
“Employment Security is proud of the work we do with these partners to make sure we’re all there to help meet our customers’ needs,” McMurry said. “No matter where job seekers and employers are in their workforce journey, our state system is there to help.”