A Look at Workforce Snohomish County

Workforce Snohomish is an organization comprised of community business leaders who meet to support the needs of job seekers and employers.

More than 15,139 veterans, adults, dislocated workers and youth received services from Workforce centers in Snohomish County last year. And enthusiastic CEO Erin Monroe said they are aiming even higher this year. This organization is much more than a liaison between businesses needing qualified workers and an underserved population getting and keeping good jobs. Actually, Workforce is more like a bridge to employment, achieved by the investment of government and private funds into the housing and education needs of a vulnerable segment of the population.

Last year more than 200 local homeless families benefitted from Workforce by finding shelter and quality jobs. Veterans also capitalized on the government services directed by Workforce. This quality support brings them up-to-date with computer skills and using social media to look for good jobs.

Especially rewarding are the programs for high school students needing to prepare for life in the business marketplace. Volunteers from AmeriCorps Youth Navigators help youth from 17 local high schools gain access to training programs and further education. “My First Job” is the unique training experience where the young people spend 100 hours immersed in an actual work environment. On completion, they feel confident and ready to fully prepare for a career.

Another popular and successful Workforce program is Creating Access To Careers in Healthcare or “CATCH.” This is a professional service funded by the federal government to train diverse, low income individuals for jobs in the healthcare industry. This grant supports further education programs at both Everett and Edmonds Community Colleges, making it possible to gain certification in the health field. The grant also covers the costs of tuition, supplies and even a laptop so deserving adults can become economically self-sufficient by learning a career. Success stories abound from the CATCH program, single mothers have the chance to continue their education and get better jobs, and some have earned a nursing certificate.

The Rapid Response Team is the highly visible and effective program of Workforce that is mobilized after an emergency. This group of skilled leaders can coordinate private and public resources in times of community disaster. They are onsite quickly to set up customized services, helping companies and workers transition to a changed environment. This is so very critical after a traumatic job loss. They make retraining available, offer career guidance, even stage job fairs to help with the relocation of workers in a timely fashion.

All this is made possible by the Workforce board, 51 percent of which is made up of local businesses and community leaders. There are also representatives in higher education and financial organizations. This variety of skills, resources and local knowledge, ensure that Workforce Snohomish can continue its mission to prepare our county for future global competition. For more information, visit workforcesnohomish.org

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