Press

AmeriCorps Program provides weatherization services, 211 referrals
As of December 1st, WDCSC’s AmeriCorps team has served over 10,029 hours providing referrals to weatherization and energy efficiency services, weatherizing homes, and providing information and referral services at Washington’s Information Network 2-1-1.  The team has also:

• Served 124 clients in housing weatherization or energy efficiency services
• Worked to weatherize 120 homes
• Referred 11,418 clients to Snohomish County services
• Recruited 72 volunteers, who in turn have served 603 hours

YouthBuild Snohomish County team receives tools; begins construction
Participants in WDCSC’s YouthBuild program recently received their construction tools in preparation for the next phase of their year-long program. Until now, participants have been attending construction training courses and GED test preparation at Everett and Edmonds Community Colleges as well as helping with construction site cleanup and preparation at Housing Hope’s Stanwood Self-Help Housing site.  Keep up the good work!

WDCSC congratulates The Boeing Company on the 787 Dreamliner’s first flight!
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County congratulates The Boeing Company and its employees on the successful first flight of its state-of-the-art airplane the 787 Dreamliner.  “We have anxiously awaited the flight of this revolutionary airplane!” exclaimed Sue Ambler, WDCSC President.  WDCSC and the Snohomish County WorkSource system have long worked hand-in-hand with The Boeing Company, many of its major suppliers, and local education and training partners to ensure the necessary skilled workforce is available right here in Snohomish County.

WorkSource Business Services Team lists the most job orders in October!
The Business Services Team (a joint team of WDCSC contractors and Employment Security Department staff) placed 320 job orders for Snohomish County employers during the month of October 2009; the largest volume for the state!  Job orders are online postings that WorkSource manages for employers on www.go2worksource.com.  Unlike other job boards that might charge $150-500 for a 30-day posting, there is  no additional charge for WorkSource services or postings since they are covered from their pre-paid employee tax dollars.  In addition, WorkSource Snohomish County staff keep employer information confidential and pre-screen candidates for employers.  This saves employers critical staff time and money and puts people to work faster and more efficiently! 

WDCSC Programs receive recognition from Human Services Council
WDCSC was pleased to receive two awards from the Human Services Council of Snohomish County at their annual luncheon on November 12, 2009.  WDCSC accepted the 2009 Agency Collaboration Award for its governance of “Help for Hard Times,” a group of Snohomish County agencies that gathered semi-monthly starting last fall out of concern for the economic crisis our residents were facing.  The group collaborated, raised funds, and now hosts the dynamic website for people facing unemployment, Help for Hard Times.  Help for Hard Times is a collaboration of Cascadia, Edmonds, and Everett Community Colleges, Employment Security Department, Evertrust Foundation, Lutheran Community Services, Providence Health & Services, Snohomish County Human Services, The Salvation Army, Volunteers of America North Sound 2-1-1, United Way, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, WDCSC, and WorkSource Snohomish County.

Additionally, WDCSC received the 2009 Youth Group Award for its Summer Youth Employment Program, which used American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to place 223 young people, aged 16-24, in paid internships at over 127 worksites across the County.  Participants were matched to worksites, in both public and private sectors, that aligned closely with their own career and personal interests while gaining valuable work experience and responsibility and leadership skills. The Summer Youth Employment Program was a collaboration of WDCSC, Center for Career Alternatives, and Lakewood School District.

Summer Youth Employment Program recognized by DVR
WDCSC additionally received a certificate of appreciation from the Washington State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for its Summer Youth Employment Program, which served 81 young people who reported having a disability.  That was 33% of the young people served by the program!

Debbie Little provides True Colors training to youth leaders
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County Director of Human Resources was invited by the City of Everett to conduct a session at this year’s Washington State Youth Leadership Summit.  The Summit is an annual event with a goal of uniting youth across the state to develop common goals, identify themes, and increase the effectiveness of the ‘youth voice’ statewide.  Debbie Little provided True Colors testing and training for the youth, assisting them to utilize this powerful tool to help understand their personality and behavioral types in order to have better communication and build rapport with others.

Coming to WDCSC for a meeting? Bring shelf-stable food!
WDCSC is currently competing with its office-mate, Snohomish County Economic Development Council, to see which organization can collect the most shelf-stable food for Housing Hope.  The food drive is running through the month of November, with a goal of collecting at least 500 items.  If you have a meeting at WDCSC on your schedule, why not bring a few cans of food to help us out? In the process you’ll be helping the residents of Housing Hope’s affordable housing programs through the holidays.  Click here to learn more about Housing Hope.

WDCSC and Community Colleges awarded training grant
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the Workforce Development Council Snohomish County, in partnership with Cascadia, Edmonds and Everett Community Colleges, a grant of almost $500,000 to create and provide shorter, more compressed instructional programming, as a way of benefitting working adults and displaced workers pursuing degrees and credentials from community colleges. Read the news release.

WDCSC Report to the Community 2007-2009 now available
WDCSC’s annual Report to the Community now available! Inside you’ll find updated employment and strategic accomplishments from the past two years as well as the refined strategic goals the Board of Directors set forth for the next two years.  Click here for an electronic version, or email Heather Villars for a hard copy.

YouthBuild Snohomish County seeking members!
YouthBuild Snohomish County is a Department of Labor funded program that brings together job training, GED attainment and leadership skills for youth in Snohomish County.  Interested, and potentially eligible, persons should attend an information session.  Attendance at a session is a mandatory first step to program enrollment.  YouthBuild Snohomish County is a partnership between Center for Career Alternatives, Housing Hope, Everett Community College, Edmonds Community College and the Workforce Development Council Snohomish County.  For more details, including session dates, times, and locations, download this flyer.

Summer Youth applauded by Senator Murray
Three youth participating in the Summer Youth Employment Program, their supervisor Joe, and Rubbbish Truck owner John Davies were recently applauded by Senator Patty Murray at a luncheon hosted by the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce at the Future of Flight. 

The Summer Youth Employment Program places youth in paid internship positions during the summer months, enabling them to gain positive mentorship and employment experience. Rubbish Truck, a professional rubbish removal company, is hosting three Summer Youth through a partnership with the Master Builders Career Connection (MBCC), Center for Career Alternatives (CCA), and Recovery Act funding from Workforce Development Council Snohomish County. Read about it in the MBCC newsletter here.

Sue Ambler dances her passion
WDCSC CEO Sue Ambler will be dancing to raise funds for the Center for Career Alternatives on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 6:30 pm at Oly’s Dance at the Dorothy Jayne Studio in Everett.  Dance Your Passion 2009 is a fundraiser that benefits the Center for Career Alternatives, a local non-profit organization, and The Dorothy Jayne Foundation. Local Puget Sound celebrities are paired with professional ballroom dancers and compete in a “Dancing With The Stars” type contest. Each dancing duo has a few weeks to learn a dance routine and must perform it live the night of the show. The couples will be judged on their performance by professional and celebrity judges including Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. To make a reservation for the show or learn more information, click here.

Join us at the WorkSource Sky Valley Grand Opening | August 17, 2009 at 10:00 am
WDCSC is pleased to announced the Grand Opening of WorkSource Sky Valley will be held on August 17, 2009 at 10:00 am.  WorkSource Sky Valley is being operated in partnership with the Sky Valley Community Services Office (DSHS) and brings workforce development services to eastern Snohomish County, including the cities of Snhomish, Monroe, Maltby, Sultan, and Gold Bar.  The Center is located at 19705 State Route 2 in Monroe, WA.  Read more here.

Saving Washington Aerospace Summit a Success
On Monday, August 3, more than 380 leaders of Washington state’s aerospace industry gathered at Snohomish County’s “Saving Washington Aerospace” summit to lay down a new platform for remaining globally competitive. Orchestrated by Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, the Summit featured presentations by leaders from Boeing, labor councils, and the aerospace industry.  “What we have to do is work together to protect what other states and countries want: our aerospace industry,” Reardon said. “Today’s summit is only the beginning.” was videotaped and can be viewed at www.tvw.org.

King County WDC receives grant to assist older workers with training
The United States Department of Labor Aging Workforce Initiative announced Monday that the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County will receive $1 million for the Reinvesting in Older Workers project. The project is a regional expansion of the Mature Workers Alliance of Puget Sound and will enable workforce partners in both King and Snohomish Counties to provide direct training and placement of older workers in order to close skill gaps and create new career pathways.

Join us at the WorkSource Sky Valley Grand Opening | August 17, 2009 at 10:00 am
WDCSC is pleased to announced the Grand Opening of WorkSource Sky Valley will be held on August 17, 2009 at 10:00 am.  WorkSource Sky Valley is being operated in partnership with the Sky Valley Community Services Office (DSHS) and brings workforce development services to eastern Snohomish County, including the cities of Snhomish, Monroe, Maltby, Sultan, and Gold Bar.  The Center is located at 19705 State Route 2 in Monroe, WA.  Read more here.

WDCSC honored for exemplary workforce practices
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County was selected to receive the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility, and will be honored by the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon on August 6, 2009 at the Washington Athletic Club in downtown Seattle. WDCSC’s innovative workplace practices include offering staff customizable work schedules, including teleworking options and support as well as enhanced flexibility.  Read more here.

Special presentation of the Self-Sufficiency Calculator by WDCSC AmeriCorps Member
Rommel Clemente, an AmeriCorps member based at the Workforce Development Council Snohomish County, gave a short overview of the benefits and features of the self-sufficiency calculator at the most recent Human Services Council networking roundtable meeting.  The self-sufficiency calculator is an award-winning financial management and assessment tool designed to measure whether an individual or family meets economic self-sufficiency thresholds.  Rommel has been working on issues of financial literacy and asset development during his term of service through the Snohomish County AmeriCorps Program. This is his last week at WDCSC, and we wish him well in his future travels and employment.  Try out the calculator here.

Sue Ambler films Community Transit spot
Community Transit was in the WDCSC office to film a video spot of the WDC’s very own Sue Ambler talking about SWIFT, the new bus rapid transit to be offered by Community Transit in partnership with Everett Transit.  While the video hasn’t been released yet, rapid transit is already on its way to becoming a reality. With operations beginning on November 30, 2009, SWIFT will greatly expand rapid transit options along a 17- mile stretch of the Highway 99 corridor from Shoreline to the Everett Station.  This innovation in public transportation will allow 1.2 million riders a year to reach their destinations more quickly and efficiently, increasing transit options and providing affordable workforce transportation to Snohomish County.

Reardon announces aerospace training institute
Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon announced Thursday, July 9, 2009 that the County, in partnership with the Aerospace Futures Alliance and two community colleges, has plans for an aerospace training institute with facilities at Snohomish County’s Paine Field Airport and at Spokane International Airport.  Read about the announcement here.

Project HIRE (Hiring Individuals with disabilities Ready for Employment) comes to WorkSource Lynnwood
Through Project HIRE Arbor Education & Training, in partnership with Workforce Development Council Snohomish County and Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), will provide rapid job placement services for vocational rehabilitation-eligible customers in demand occupations at WorkSource Lynnwood, thanks to time-limited American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.  This program will increase employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in Snohomish County!

Sue Ambler to bring workforce voice to FIRST advisory board
Sue Ambler, WDCSC CEO, was appointed as the first ever representative from workforce development to the Washington FIRST Regional Executive Advisory Board.  FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit organization that motivates young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). FIRST is a recognized leader in growing STEM talent and ensuring the Washington State workforce is prepared for the future.  Read more about FIRST on their web site.

Elevate America vouchers remain but expire soon
WorkSource Snohomish County locations continue to give out E-Learning and Exam vouchers made available through Microsoft's Elevate America program.  E-Learning vouchers expire on July 31, 2009 and Exam vouchers expire on August 30, 2009.  For more information about available vouchers, view a graph here, or visit WorkSource Everett.

AmeriCorps Members Graduate
The 2008-2009 Snohomish County AmeriCorps Program members graduated from their year of service on Monday, June 29, 2009 at a ceremony hosted on the Snohomish County campus.  Members served at alternative high schools, community centers, teen shelters, government, non-profits, and family centers. They led leadership activities, life skills, career readiness, homework help, service learning projects, recruited volunteers and much more.  Members served 3,000 at risk youth in Snohomish County, 95 of those youth had a parent or both parents incarcerated. Members recruited 900 community volunteers, 50 who were current college students and 132 of the baby boomer generation.  Those recruited volunteers served  7,000+ hours of service in Snohomish County.  Thank you for your service to our community!

Summer Youth Employment Program
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County has awarded contracts with Center for Career Alternatives and the Lakewood School District to run a robust Summer Youth Employment Program across Snohomish County.  Center for Career Alternatives will provide summer employment to 95 out of school youth and the Lakewood School District will provide employment to 148 youth.  The youths’ wages will be paid using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds with a goal of providing meaningful work readiness and work experience for Snohomish County youth.  Look for more information to come about this exciting program!

Building Bridges student featured in Herald
Mona Robles, a recent graduate from Marysville's Mountain View High School, benefitted from enrollment in the Building Bridges program at her high school, funded through grant funds received by WDCSC. Her story has been featured in the Herald twice, including this article about her struggles to graduate on time, and a story published after she reached her graduation goal.  The Building Bridges program provides individualized assistance to students who are at risk of dropping out or have already dropped out.  Read more about Building Bridges in Snohomish County here.

Stimulus Funding Resource workshops held at WorkSource Aerospace Center
Visit the WorkSource Aerospace Center for more information, or click here to view their workshop calendar.

Veterans Spring Stand Down
WorkSource Snohomish County Veterans Program is hosting its Veterans Spring Stand Down on Friday, June 26, 2009 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Camp Volasuca in Sultan.  Stand Down provides services at no charge to honorably discharged veterans, including homeless, active duty, reserve, retirees, and their families.  Services available at the event include free clothing, food, haircuts, and showers as well as representatives from community service agencies and employers.  Download a flyer with more information here.

YouthBuild helps young people help others
WDCSC is pleased to announce its selection as a YouthBuild grant recipient.  Partners for this grant project include Center for Career Alternatives, Construction Carnival Task Force, Edmonds Community College, Everett Community College, and Housing Hope.  The $575,967 grant will allow WDCSC and Center for Career Alternatives to enroll 32 at-risk students, aged 18-24, to work half-time at Housing Hope’s Rural Self Help Housing Program site learning construction and half time in classroom training provided by the Community College partners working toward a Construction Industry Training Certificate.  In addition to receiving academic and occupational skills training, participants will develop leadership skills and participate in community service opportunities.  Read the press release here.

WorkSource Bothell Grand Opening
WorkSource Bothell will host a grand opening ceremony on June 19, 2009 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.  Bothell Deputy Mayor Sandy Guinn and Assistant City Manager Terrie Battuello will be on site for the event.  WorkSource Bothell is a new WorkSource site opened in cooperation with the Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council.  It is located at 18132 Bothell Way NE, next to the Department of Motor Vehicles and will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am-5pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.  Download a flyer with more details here.  Read about it in the Herald!

Recovery Act AmeriCorps Program now accepting applications
WDCSC is now accepting applications for the Snohomish County Recovery Act AmeriCorps Program.  Members will serve their community for ten months while gaining skills and joining the National Service movement.  To qualify as a member, you must have been recently laid off, 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma, able to pass a background check, and fulfill the application and interview process.  Benefits include: a modest living allowance, child care, student loan forbearance, training, work experience, health care, and an education award of $4,725.  The program begins in July; apply online at www.wdcsc.org/americorps.

WDCSC staff wins Community Leadership award!
Sam Samano, WDCSC Strategic Alignment Manager, was recently awarded the Community Leadership Award by the Washington Association of School Administrators for her excellent work with local schools.  Sam Samano has worked tirelessly over the years in support of the annual College and Career Fair put on by Everett Public Schools as well as orchestrating and overseeing WDCSC’s Annual Construction Carnival, held at Sno-Isle Tech.  Congratulations Sam! You make us proud!