Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council hears Washington Jobs Initiative plan: $23.5M to train 5,000 and place 3,150 workers
Summary
WSAC staff presented the Washington Jobs Initiative (WJI), a $23.5 million federally funded program to train 5,000 Washingtonians and place at least 3,150 into jobs across high-demand sectors; staff outlined costs (about $2,700 per enrolled participant) and sector differences in cost per placement.
WSAC grant managers Shannon Peterson and Shannon Ladymon presented the Washington Jobs Initiative, a $23.5 million federally funded effort to train 5,000 Washingtonians and place at least 3,150 into jobs in sectors including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and clean energy. Peterson described the multi-agency delivery model and sector partnerships, including the Employment Security Department, Washington STEM, the Office of Equity and the State Labor Council.
Ladymon summarized program costs and outcomes, saying the initiative spends about "$2,700 per enrolled participant," and that cost per job placement varies by sector: construction reported the lowest cost (about "$3,700") while the newer clean-tech pathway currently has a higher cost per placement (about "$18,000") because of startup expenses and smaller cohorts. Presenters flagged challenges including industry hiring slowdowns, small cohort bottlenecks and data-collection limits; they described adjustments including stronger employer outreach and expanded recruitment for underserved participants.
