Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council
Leading Workforce Development in Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum
Counties
SWWDC workforce development area
Clark – population 435,600
Cowlitz – population 100,000
Wahkiakum – population 4,150
SWWDC mission
To prepare and promote a highly skilled and adaptive workforce for a healthy, sustainable
economy in Southwest Washington.
SWWDC roleTo convene regional workforce partners and
stakeholders in order to…• Assess skill gaps;• Develop the regional workforce development
plan in coordination with economic development;
• Serve as the regional workforce development performance management entity;
SWWDC role (continued)
• Facilitate interagency projects and programs;• Oversee and make recommendations for
continuous improvement of the workforce development system;
• Allocate resources based on priorities;• Support local industry by identifying needs
and brokering solutions; and• Develop resources to support strategies.
EMPLOYERS AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS
WorkSource
Community Based
Organizations
Community Colleges
School Districts
Adult Education
Other colleges, training
providers
Universities
Apprenticeships
SWWDC Local Plan
Youth, entry level workers
UnemployedSemi-skilled
Super-skilled
Very Low Income, multiple barriers
Professional and Technical
POPULATIONS
SWWDC vision for the future
By 2013 a highly skilled workforce will serve as the cornerstone of a vital and sustainable economy for
Southwest Washington. Business, education, and community organizations will work cooperatively around a set of common
goals to ensure responsive and aligned workforce strategies that yield strong economic outcomes and
an adaptable and skilled workforce. Continuous improvement in the workforce will be
made possible by flexible, accessible, life-long learning opportunities.
Guiding Principles
1. Think and act as an integrated system of programs. 2. Create a delivery system that is responsive to employers and
provides for flexible and accountable services.3. Focus workforce efforts on outcomes and make investments
accordingly.4. Closely align goals and initiatives with partners.5. Prioritize services to respond to high demand occupations and
critical job needs of targeted industry clusters.6. Regularly review performance for quality improvement, and adapt
to meet changing needs.7. Work with Oregon counterparts.8. Act as a forum and agent of change for the workforce system.
Target Industries
• Manufacturing– Commodity producers (paper, wood, metals)– Technology producers (semiconductor, devices)
• Health Care• High Technology • Freight transportation• Alternative Energy and Green Products and
Services
Clark, Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Largest Private Sector Industries
Source: Washington Employment Security Department
Industry Jobs Average Annual Wage
Manufacturing 17,642 $51,896Construction 10,757 $47,310Health Care 22,114 $45,031Retail 19,280 $25,796Accommodation/ 13,061 $15,227Food Services
Workforce trends• Despite high unemployment, we will face a shortage of
workers with the skills needed by local industries.– All jobs will require higher skills as new technologies are introduced. – 70% of new jobs will require post-secondary or vocational training.– Strong basic skills, good communication, team work and critical
thinking skills will be the baseline for any job.– Local residents have lower than average educational attainment than
state and national averages.• Wages and per capita income lag both state and national
averages. • Today’s mobile worker requires transferable skills, flexible
training options, and quick access to career and job information.
Public school enrollmentPublic School Enrollment 1999-2000 2009-2010 % ChangeClark County 64,664 76,037 17.6%Cowlitz County 17,688 17,099 -3.3%Wahkiakum County 521 465 -10.7%
% of 16-19 years old not in school and without a high school diploma
Clark County 8.0%Cowlitz County 5.8%Wahkiakum County Not availableWashington State 6.6%Portland MSA 6.3%
Source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-08 American Community Survey
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Bachelor’s Degree Attainmentfor the population aged 25 and older
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
U.S. Washington Clark Cowlitz PDX
2000
2009
National rate
Comparison of Annual Average Wages, 2009
Source: Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, QCEW Data
Our GoalsA. Expand opportunities to fully engage Southwest
Washington youth and adults in the regional economy.
B. Provide avenues for residents to prepare for careers that lead to self-sufficiency.
C. Provide Southwest Washington industries with a skilled workforce.
D. Foster a responsive workforce system that offers services in the time, place and structure required by business and workers.
Goal A: Expand opportunities to fully engage Southwest Washington youth and adults in the regional economy
• Engage those disengaged from labor force and education systems, especially 16-29 year olds, the working poor, intergenerational poor, drop-outs, youth without post-secondary plans, those with disabilities, offenders, and veterans.
• Provide tools and resources to help youth and adults plan for career success.
Goal B: Provide avenues for residents to prepare for careers that lead to self sufficiency
• Encourage individuals to pursue careers and training in industries and occupations that provide paths to self sufficiency.
• Enhance opportunities for applied and experiential learning, particularly in math and science.
• Provide adult basic skills training within the context of vocational and technical education.
Goal C: Provide Southwest Washington industries with a skilled workforce
• Develop strategies for meeting targeted industries’ workforce needs.
• Work with economic development organizations and employers to support regional efforts for business recruitment, retention, and innovation.
• Upgrade skills of incumbent workers.
• Expand utilization of apprenticeships.
Goal D: Foster a responsive workforce system that offers services in the time, place and structure required by business and workers
• Operate a responsive, accountable, and flexible workforce system.
• Fully leverage an optimize resources.
• Increase WorkSource and workforce system performance.
How SWWDC realizes the plan
SWWDC, a non-profit (501C3) organization, provides• Funding/resource development• Operations• Programs management• Strategic initiatives, and• Partnership coordinationin order to achieve the goals of its board.
We are also the Local Workforce Investment Board.
Workforce Investment Act funding
• Appropriated by Congress each year• Goes to the Governor and the Washington State
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
• “Passed on” to the Chief Elected Officials – Boards of County Commissioners
• “Passed on” to Local Workforce Investment Boards.
SWWDC funded programs
• The three flavors of WIA– Adult program (low income adults)– Dislocated worker program– Youth program (youth from low income families)
Youth programmingWho: Approximately 400 youth who are 16 to 21 years old
What: Help students develops skills necessary to be successful in the workplace
How: Youth work closely with an adult mentor to set and achieve goals through an individualized education, training, and employment plan.
Where: Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties
Youth Program Activities
Academic support• Tutoring, credit recovery, advocacy,
training/college identification and application assistance
Skills training• Team building, communications,
decision making, etiquette, harassment prevention
Career exploration activities • Experiential workshops, job fairs,
field trips, career academiesJob Search Support
• Resume writing, interview preparation, dress for success, job search strategies and tools
Occupational Training• Occupational skills classes and
workshops with credentials• On-the-job training
opportunities and subsidiesWork Experience
• Subsidized and subsidized employment, supported employment for foster youth
Support Resource and Services• Transportation, child care,
clothing, learning supplies, incentives, mental health and drug and alcohol services
SWWDC GovernanceExecutive Board of County Commissioners
WorkSourceWIA Adult, and
Dislocated Worker Service Contractors,
Employment Security Programs, others
Youth Services
Contractors
Special Initiatives
PartnersCompanies.
Economic Dev.,K-12, Colleges, Labor,
Governments,Communities
Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council
Exec. Board is corporate board of directors
Board Committees
Executive Board of County Commissioners (EBOCC)
Interlocal agreement Apportionment of resources by county Appointment of council members
Cowlitz: Mike Karnofski
Wahkiakum: Dan Cothren
Clark: Marc Boldt
Workforce Development Council
• Membership:– Nominated by Chambers or EDCs, appointed by county
commissioners or constituencies– Private sector majority– Partners: WorkSource, DSHS, education, economic
development, labor, community organizations– Two EBOCC members
• Fulfills WIA and state mandated roles, focusing on policy and oversight
• Meets bi-monthly
Workforce Development Council
Private SectorRobert Gaffney, Gaffney Counseling and ConsultingKeith McPhun, Cornell PumpEric Hovee, E.D. Hovee & AssociatesJeff Graham, UNFIAngela Simmons, IQ Credit UnionKay Dalke, RetiredJohn Vanderkin, Employer’s OverloadBrad Murphy, Thompson Metal FabKelly Parker, Greater Vancouver Chamber of CommerceLoren Lee, RetiredLydia Work, American Paper ConvertingDale Lemmons, Interstate TruckingMike Haas, WeyerhaeuserMindy Heuer, Port of KalamaDavid Futcher, Futcher-Henry GroupDebbie Luchua, PeaceHealth
Public SectorPhil Parker, Organized LaborKathy Jennings, Organized LaborTim Pfeifer, Organized LaborRobert Bates, WSU-VancouverRobert Knight, Clark CollegeChris Bailey, Lower Columbia CollegeJohn Deeder, Evergreen Public SchoolsSusan Barker, Castle Rock Public SchoolsDiane McWithey, ShareIlona Kerby, CAPLisa Nisenfeld, CREDCTed Sprague, CEDCRobert Brown, WorkSourceCindy Williams, Vocational RehabKristine Hammond, DSHSMike Karnofski, Cowlitz County CommissionerDan Cothren, Wahkiakum County Commissioner
Standing Committees
• Executive Board• Finance Committee• Youth Council• WorkSource Accountability Committee• Legislative Committee
Where to Find Us
805 Broadway, Suite 412 Vancouver, WA 98660
360-567-1070 – voice360-567-1054 -- [email protected]
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