In WDCSC's new Strategic Plan, the Board of Directors outlines four strategic goals, each with a number of supporting objectives.  Goal One states: "A Snohomish County workforce development system that is 100% globally competitive."  Under this goal, the second objective states that the WDCSC Board will take an advocacy role in public policy issues affecting Snohomish County's workforce. Below you will find an update on WDCSC's role in two important public policy issues.

Senator Cantwell’s Efforts to aid Workforce Development in the State of Washington
Senator Maria Cantwell (D), in partnership with Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI), and Susan Collins (R-ME), recently published a letter to Senate members Robert C. Byrd, Tom Harkin, Thad Cochran, and Arlen Specter addressing  the critical issue of the budget deficit facing our nation's one-stop career placement offices and support staff.

The Consolidated Appropriations act of 2008 requires states to return surplus funds from workforce programs for youth, adults and dislocated workers. A recent meeting in the Labor, Health and Human Services subcommittee revealed that Washington State ranked 25th in surplus funds that must be returned to the Federal Government with a total nearing $3 million. Senator Cantwell is adamant about creating a healthy workforce that would not be possible without these funds. Cantwell and colleagues are asking the Senate to reinvest the surplus funds into state and local workforce development councils to continue their support and structure within communities. The state’s workforce development councils are an integral part of maintaining the day to day operations of the one-stop career centers, as they are used by an average 1 in 10 workers nationally, and that number will certainly increase in our ever turbulent economy.

Senators Cantwell, Kohl, and Collins support is extremely valuable to the residents of Snohomish County, as Workforce Development Council Snohomish County is proud to maintain positive relationships with our representatives from Olympia, and strive to build affiliations nationally by setting the standard for a 100% globally competitive workforce.

To read the letter from Senators Cantwell, Kohl, and Collins, click here.

GAO Verdict and the Potential for Jobs in Snohomish County
On June 18, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained Boeing's protest of the Air Force tanker contract, identifying numerous errors in the selection process and suggesting that it be recompeted.  Workforce Development Council Snohomish County was pleased to learn of the GAO's findings; the tanker contract, if awarded to Boeing, would bring huge economic benefit to Snohomish County and our nation. The advocacy on this issue from Congressman Jay Inslee, Congressman Rick Larsen, Senator Patty Murray, and Senator Maria Cantwell have been critical in pushing for a remedy to the flawed contract process.

WDCSC and its partner, the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, are prepared to provide necessary services Boeing would need should they be awarded the contract, including finding high quality employees for Boeing, but also finding employment for their spouses, recommending residences in Snohomish County, and more.