Press

Sue Ambler to speak at EDC’s Clean Tech Mixer
Next Tuesday, join our very own Sue Ambler, Steve Klein from the Snohomish County PUD, Eric Lundberg from Vesper, Inc., Paul Tower from Applied Filter Technologies, and Don Nielson from Light Doctor to talk about clean technology business and training programs right here in the Puget Sound.  The event is from 4-6 pm at the Everett Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are $25 and reservations can be made here.

Snohomish County Job Fair tomorrow!
From 10 AM to 3 PM at Everett Community College in the Parks Building, you can meet with local companies looking for qualified applicants.  Visit http://www.socojobfair.com to learn more.

Now enrolling for Winter Training programs
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County is proud to partner with local community colleges to offer a variety of in-demand training programs thanks to the support of a variety of grants.  To learn more about grant-funding training programs available through our local training providers, including a number of green training programs, click here.

Data from the Field: Looking at the Bio-Tech Cluster
The Bio-Tech cluster is relatively new in Snohomish County, especially when compared to clusters with a longstanding tradition in Snohomish County such as Manufacturing and Agri-Business. However, that has not stopped Bio-Tech from becoming an important and growing segment of the economic base in a short period of time. Bio-Tech is a maturing sector showing no signs of slowing down or losing ground. Washington has the strongest Bio-Tech cluster in the nation, relative to its size, and it is making a global impact. For example, Washington has seen a significant expansion in global health activity and is now considered second only to Geneva in its concentration of global health assets. An interdisciplinary team at the University of Washington found that global health activities aimed at developing countries produced over $700 million in direct economic activity in Washington in 2005 and that global health activities at the University of Washington and Washington State University are worth about $130 million per year.

WDCSC Receives United Way’s Spirit of Snohomish County Award
On September 8, 2010, Workforce Development Council Snohomish County was honored to receive the Spirit of Snohomish County Community Partner Award from the United Way of Snohomish County.  Each year the Community Partner Award recognizes an organization or corporation that exemplifies the most comprehensive, measurable commitment to building strong and caring communities.  Read more about the awards here.

Free Microsoft e-Learning available at WorkSource Centers
Starting this week, the state's Employment Security Department will offer Microsoft's complete e-learning library at area WorkSource career centers. The goal is to help job seekers build their computer skills and become more competitive in the job market. The e-learning courses will first be available at WorkSource offices in Everett, Redmond, Spokane, Thurston County, Vancouver and Walla Walla. It will be expanded to job seekers statewide on Oct. 1. Once people complete the coursework, they'll be able to take free exams to earn credentials in Microsoft's Office and Technology Associate programs.

Financial resource workshops for human and social service professionals
If you work in human or social services and you want to learn new tools to help your clients master their finances, then these workshops are for you!  Financial Coaching 101 will be held on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm in the Workforce Development Council Snohomish County Board Room.  Financial Coaching workshops are for those wanting to develop advanced skills as a financial mentor.  Pre-registration is required for this free workshop.  Register by emailing Samantha Spitzer or calling her at 425 921 3402. Download a flyer with more information here.

Data from the Field
Introducing a new section of the WDCSC News Briefs: Data from the Field.  This section will feature items combining labor market data with actual reports from the field. Contributors include WDC, ESD, and WorkSource Business Services staff and other partners.

Agri-Business is a key industry in Snohomish County – a $154 million industry that is maintained by local farmers and provides sustenance to local families. There are nearly 1,600 farms in Snohomish County of which 70% are family or individually owned. Local demand for local products has transformed local agriculture from a focus on large commodity crops to a diverse range of local products. Local government is a champion of Snohomish County farmers. One of the latest additions to Snohomish County’s emphasis on and commitment to Agri-Business is the new nonprofit Growers Alliance. Rolled out in June 2010 by Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, the Grower’s Alliance is devoted to advancing the economic growth among county farmers. You can learn more about the Grower’s Alliance and other local farming activities and projects by visiting the Snohomish County Focus on Farming website.

Additional YouthBuild Snohomish County Information Sessions
YouthBuild is a ten-month program designed for low-income youth aged 18-24 to complete their GED, receive construction skills training, and participate in paid work in housing construction.  Attend an information session to learn more. Sessions will be held throughout the month of August in both Everett and Stanwood. Download a flyer with more information here. Questions? Call Travis Green at 425.418.4540 or email him.

Attend free Financial Resources Workshops!  Do you work in human or social services? Do you want to learn new tools to help your clients master their finances?  Attend one of three sessions this fall. Download a flyer with more details.

Congressman Larsen visits YouthBuild graduates
Congressman Rick Larsen spent the afternoon at Copper Station, a housing development in Housing Hope's Self Help Housing program, where participants owner-builders exchange "sweat equity" for subsidized loans with no down payment. 

The YouthBuild class of 2009 spent time working hand-in-hand with Housing Hope as part of their on-site construction skills training, and today Congressman Larsen met, and congratulated, two graduates of the program as well as learning more about Housing Hope. 

Data from the Field
Introducing a new section of the WDCSC News Briefs: Data from the Field.  This section will feature items combining labor market data with actual reports from the field. Contributors include WDCSC, Employment Security, and WorkSource Business Services staff and other partners.

Programs for Veterans
Did you know there are over 670,000 Veterans in Washington and that one out of every 10 lives in Snohomish County? Additionally, Snohomish County can expect to welcome 1,000 new Veterans each year for the foreseeable future. Sadly, estimations report about 700 Veterans to be homeless right now. Fortunately, services are in place and being expanded to serve all Veterans. Programs like Helmets to Hardhats and ANEW have special programs in place to connect Veterans with non-military training, apprenticeships, and employment, and WorkSource centers throughout the county are dedicated to serving those who have served us. For more data on Veterans in the workforce, view the following reports: Employment and earnings of recent veterans and Employment Situation of Veterans.

Aging of the workforce
The aging of the workforce has been a hot topic lately. Years ago, employers were concerned that massive numbers of workers age 55+ would retire out of the workforce leaving a major skills gap. Plans were in place to accommodate older workers who wanted to move to part-time or more flexible employment. Now, as a result of the recession, these same workers need to keep working full-time for longer than they (and employers) had planned. People who had retired are reentering the job market. Of concerns is the record unemployment rate for this group. These reports Are there more older people in the workplace? and Record unemployment among older workers shed light on the topic, while WorkSource centers can be relied on for services.

YouthBuild Snohomish County is recruiting for its second year!
Attend one of two mandatory information sessions to learn more. Sessions will be held on July 22 at 6:30 pm and on July 28 at 4:00 pm, both in Stanwood. Download a flyer with more information here. Questions? Call Travis Green at 425.921.3493 or email him

WorkSource Snohomish County Youth Center has moved
The WorkSource Snohomish County Youth Center is now located on the second floor of the Everett Train Station at 3201 Smith Ave in Everett.  Youth are encouraged to visit the space to learn more about Workforce Investment Act services available during the summer months, including a new Summer Youth Employment Program. For more information, contact the center at (425) 374-8351 or by email.

Everett Community College awarded $4.8 million to train healthcare professionals
Congratulations to Everett Community College on its successful proposal to the Department of Labor's Healthcare Education-to-Career Opportunities (HECO) project.  The HECO project will support a variety of education and training opportunities for much-needed healthcare positions and is in partnership between five community and technical colleges, three healthcare organizations, and three Workforce Development Councils, including Workforce Development Council Snohomish County.  Read Representative Inslee’s press release here.

Mother’s eloquent letter highlights value of CTE, WAVE award
Janice Maxson of Shoreline has written the Workforce Board about how Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center's welding classes have made a difference in her son's life. Read how this amazing young man found his calling through the Skills Center and won a WAVE scholarship while battling autism. Read the letter here.

Join us for the Grand Opening of WorkSource Everett | June 17, 2010 | 10 am
WorkSource Everett is bigger and better than ever! With the relocation of the Resource Center to the third floor of the Everett Train station, WorkSource Everett has doubled its public computer stations and reconfigured to better serve the community. Join Everett Mayor Ray Stephenson, Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, and Washington Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee as we celebrate the new facility on June 17 from 10:00 am to noon at 3201 Smith Avenue, Everett.

Curtis Takahaski recognized as a Premier Partner
On May 6, 2010, our own Curtis Takahashi was presented with a plaque honoring his Premier Partner status with the Marysville School District.  The plaque explains, “Curtis is very dedicated to the youth of the Marysville School District and Snohomish County. He networks with employers to promote education and training opportunities for young people.  Curtis serves on our district Career and Technical Education General Advisory Committee and sees that the district gets resources and support for a number of initiatives from student participation in career-related activities to connections with local employers. Curtis also serves as treasurer for the MERIT Foundation, a sub-committee of the Marysville Manufacturing Technology Advisory Committee.”  Congratulations, Curtis!

Pathways to Apprenticeship Success
On February 22, the Centers of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology, Construction and Process Controls and Technology along with the Workforce Development Council Snohomish County cosponsored a Pathways to Apprenticeship day-long event for high school teachers and counselors with the event host, Western Washington Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) at their Everett training facility.   There were total  95 attendees from 30 high schools and school districts, as far away as Omak! Three attendees were from colleges.  
 
Sue Ambler to sit on Edmonds presidential search committee
Edmonds Community College’s Board of Trustees has named 17 people to a committee to help select the college’s next president. In March, Jack Oharah, Edmonds Community College’s president of 14 years, announced that he would retire at the end of 2010. The college trustees then asked the community for nominations to a Presidential Search Committee to screen candidates and make recommendations. At an April 22 special session, the trustees appointed a committee of representatives from the college and its community, including WDCSC’s CEO Sue Ambler.  More information can be found here.

SummerPalooza, a resource fair for youth
Aimed at helping high school students find summer employment, volunteer opportunities, and internships, SummerPalooza is Monday, May 10, 2010 from 5 pm - 8 pm.  Download the flyer for businesses looking to fill summer jobs or for youth looking for summer employment.

New Snohomish County ARRA Impact report available
This report highlights the stimulus funds received by Workforce Development Council Snohomish County from July 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 as well as their expenditure and impact locally.  Read the report here.

Congratulations to POWER Up Youth!
The POWER Up Program is providing eleven homeless youth aged 19-21 with housing solutions and wrap-around case management while they work to earn their GEDs.  AS of March, eight of participants have earned their GEDs, three have completed work experiences, and three more are participating in work experiences.

Thank you to our ARRA AmeriCorps Members for their service and inspiration!
On April 30, 2010, our Recovery Act AmeriCorps team will have their last day of service.  All totaled, 15 AmeriCorps members served over 22,100 hours in Snohomish County over the last 10 months, addressing critical needs in energy efficiency and providing regional low income service referrals through Volunteers of America 2-1-1.  These AmeriCorps members provided energy efficient assistance to 1,133 clients, weatherized 996 homes, and referred 22,684 clients to community support services. Not only did they serve their community, they also inspired others to serve. Combined, our team recruited 160 new community volunteers, who in turn volunteered 1,454 hours in Snohomish County.

New RSS feed on WDCSC web site!
Track the latest WDCSC news, now through RSS.  Take a moment to subscribe by clicking here. View our home page here.

Helping Hands for Hard Times | February 10th, 11th, & 12th
Plan now to attend one of three resource fairs aimed at helping Snohomish County residents to beat the recession.  More than 25 nonprofit and public agencies offering a variety of services will be present at each fair in Everett, Marysville/Tulalip, and Lynnwood.  Download a flyer with a list of participating agencies.  

Register now for Pathways to Apprenticeship | February 23, 2010
Register now for this day-long conference, held at the Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC Training facility in Everett, to learn valuable career guidance tools and academic resources, gain in-depth knowledge of the apprenticeship system, and connect with local apprenticeship programs.  OSPI clock hours are available for those attending.  To register, visit www.rtc.edu/CCE/Events (scroll by date to find event). Download a flyer.

Pacific Northwest Apprenticeship Education Conference | May 19-20, 2010
Don’t miss this premiere event for industry answers, solution-based products, and cross-sector connections. Hosted by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries and the US Department of Labor, this event is targeted at employers and associations, educators, non-profit leaders, apprenticeship program leaders, workforce development officials, and advocacy groups.  Visit www.apprenticeshipconference.com to register and learn more.  Download a flyer.

Snohomish County to receive green jobs training funds
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded an almost $6 million Recovery Act grant to the Washington Energy Sector Partnership, a broad-based public-private team headed by the Workforce Board. The grant will fund three Workforce Development Councils, including Workforce Development Council Snohomish County, to provide training for targeted populations in high demand, professional-technical occupations needed for energy efficiency in commercial and public buildings.

Helping Hands for Hard Times | February 10th, 11th, & 12th
Non-profit organizations, public agencies and training providers who are interested in hosting a table or facilitating a workshop at the "Helping Hands for Hard Times" events on February 10th, 11th and 12th can click here for the registration form. To submit the form, save a copy then attach to an email and send to Tammette Chitwood.

Energy Efficiency Training Grant to help Snohomish County workforce
Almost 500 individuals in Puget Sound will be trained for careers in energy efficiency, thanks to a $3.9 million Recovery Act grant awarded to the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council. $629,589 will go to train Snohomish County workers through a partnership with Edmonds Community College and Workforce Development Snohomish County (WDCSC).  Read the full press release here.

Relaunch of BizInfo 24x7
The popular website, BizInfo24x7, has had a makeover, and it's better than ever. The new BizInfo is bursting with small business information and best practices vetted for quality and relevancy. BizInfo is brought to Snohomish County by the following partners: South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce, City of Lynnwood Economic Development, Edmonds Community College and its Small Business Development Center, the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, and WDCSC.

Update on Help for Hard Times
The Help for Hard Times taskforce was assembled in summer of 2008. Since then, HFHT has printed and distributed more than 40,000 brochures providing critical information for people facing unemployment.  The HFHT website, www.helpforhardtimes.org, a Survival Guide to Unemployment, was launched in mid-November 2008 and has since received over 10,000 page views. Read press announcing the launch of the website here.