New funds for workforce development in Snohomish County
While we've all heard about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), many of us wonder how the money will be spent. This portion of the WDCSC web site will keep you up to date on all Recovery Act funding that WDCSC receives to assist with job training, employment services, and summer jobs for youth--funding that we will spend quickly, efficiently, and transparently.
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County's Role
As we approach the completion of the first full quarter of program implementation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding, programs are in full swing. Many dislocated and adult low-income wage earners have enrolled in training programs, learning new skills that will enable them to move into high demand occupations.
New access points have opened in Snohomish County at the Aerospace Worker Retraining facility located on the Edmonds Community College campus and at a one-stop WorkSource center near downtown Bothell. These sites provide critical services for many unemployed workers in the community.
Youth will be provided numerous opportunities through the Summer Youth Employment Program as well as through a new ARRA AmeriCorps Grant awarded to Snohomish County Workforce Development Council.
All funding for these much-needed programs is being spent with the highest concerns for efficiency, speed and transparency. Through this website, we will keep you updated on funding invested and program outcomes.
Targeting Recovery Act Funds
WDCSC will focus its use of Recovery Act funds to boost the capacity of the workforce system in Snohomish County by increasing service levels to meet the growing demand. Look for updates as we further define and initiate local Recovery Act strategies.
These funds, like the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds we receive each year, will come in three funding streams: WIA Adult, for the general job candidate population; WIA Dislocated Worker, for people who have lost their jobs; and WIA Youth, for at-risk young people aged 16-22.
Washington State used an allocation formula to determine how much money each of the 12 Workforce Development Councils will receive. Snohomish County allocations can be seen in the table below.
Funding Stream |
Snohomish County Allocation |
|---|---|
| WIA Adult | $480,764 |
| WIA Dislocated Worker | $1,768,705 |
| WIA Youth | $1,097,925 |
| WIA Administrative | $334,738 |
Total |
$3,682,132 |
In addition, the Recovery Act will release $740 million nationwide in competitive grants for workforce development services in high-demand sectors.
Washington State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP)
Snohomish County will see $1.5 million from the Washington State Energy Sector Partnership grant. Funding is provided by a grant received by the Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, in partnership with, among others, Workforce Development Council Snohomish County. This portion of the grant funds will be managed by Workforce Development Council Snohomish County on behalf of a regional partnership, including Build it Smart, Cascadia Community College, Edmonds Community College, Everett Community College, Master Builders Career Connection, Veterans Conservation Corps, and the Washington Electrical Industry Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee.
Local outcomes include training 200 participants in in-demand green and energy efficiency skills at local community colleges and through Master Builder Career Connection and enrolling apprentice to journey-level building and construction trades workers in upgrade green skills training conducted by Joint Apprenticeship Training Councils in six northwestern Washington counties.
Training programs offered through the partnership will include energy management specialist, energy accounting specialist, commercial light auditor, energy efficiency technician, sustainable practices, green skills training, and others.
Washington State Energy Sector Partnership Brought to you by a grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Labor, this is a statewide project of the Washington State Energy Sector Partnership, led by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board with partners that include: Washington State Evergreen Jobs Leadership Team, Snohomish County, and Seattle-King County and Spokane Area Workforce Development Councils. Over half the funding, or some 51 percent, comes from the U.S. Department of Labor through a $5,973,635 grant.
Recovery Act Timeline Recovery Act funds will be released to the states by March 19, 2009 and to local areas by mid-April 2009. All funds must be spent by June 30, 2011.
As funds are received locally and allocated to workforce development programs around the county, WDCSC will share expenditures and results here.
The American Recovery Act in Washington State
Governor Christine Gregoire launched www.recovery.wa.gov on February 26, 2009, to help Washingtonians understand the recovery package and locate information that helps local governments find the right place to apply for funding. It also serves as a “one-stop” location for accountability information so residents can see that the recovery money is being spent wisely.
The American Recovery Act in Washington DC
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law by President Obama on
February 17, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jump-start our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. To read more about the act, visit www.recovery.gov.