North-central workforce area receives $3.9 million to aid workers - August 11, 2006

06-072

Media contact: Bill Tarrow, 360-902-9376

Audio: http://fortress.wa.gov/esd/portal/info/newsroom/audiofiles/NorthCentral.mp3/file_view

OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department has released $3.9 million to the North-Central Workforce Development Council to provide employment and training assistance to youths and adults through June 2007.  

The council oversees the design and delivery of employment and training services for residents in Chelan, Okanogan, Grant, Douglas and Adams counties.   

“The best way to keep Washington competitive in the global economy is to ensure that our workers get the job assistance and training they need to succeed in the workplace,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee.  “These funds will help many workers in Central Washington create a brighter future for themselves and their families.”   

The money will be used to assist at-risk students, low-income adults who need help getting a job and laid-off workers retrain for new jobs.  Types of services include skills assessment, career planning, individual counseling, job-readiness training and occupational training. Other services also may include job search, job referral and relocation assistance.  A goal for these funds is to increase the supply of skilled workers to meet employer demand. 

“These funds come at a critical time when businesses are having difficulty finding workers with the skills they want,” said Dave Petersen of SkillSource, fiscal agent for the local council. “This money, in cooperation with other workforce development agencies such as colleges and school districts, will add 1,000 qualified candidates to the local labor supply.”  

The Employment Security Department is the state fiscal agent for federal Workforce Investment Act funds and ensures that the local workforce development councils comply with federal laws and regulations on how the money is to be used.  Some $58 million will be distributed this year to the state’s 12 workforce development council areas based on population, unemployment and the number of disadvantaged people.

Individuals who need help finding a job or obtaining job training should visit their nearest WorkSource center.  Offices are listed online at www.go2worksource.com and in blue pages of the phone book.  Some programs and services are available only to individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements.

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