 The No Wrong Door project aims to help job seekers connect with employment and other services more efficiently.
October News
TOP NEWS
Workforce Board, partners make progress on coordinated service delivery for job seekers
A project to help job seekers find employment and services more efficiently is making significant progress, Workforce Board officials report.
Several early milestones have been reached in the No Wrong Door project, which aims to create a new and unified way for job seekers to access Washington’s workforce system. Learn more.
Workforce Board welcomes Humphrey, Ramirez
The Workforce Board welcomes two new members.
Executive Director Nate Humphrey of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) recently joined the board. He previously led initiatives at Jobs for the Future and served as associate vice president at the North Carolina Community College system, and as workforce education director at SBCTC.
Secretary Angela Ramirez of the Department of Social and Health Services joined the board in September. She recently served as chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Previous roles include special assistant to the president and as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M.
OTHER NEWS
Federal shutdown, private-sector layoffs lead to increase in unemployment claims
As the federal government shutdown continues, more federal workers are applying for unemployment benefits with the Employment Security Department. Through Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1,184 federal workers (about 79 per day) in Washington state applied for benefits, the department reports.
“Our No. 1 goal is to get people paid as quickly as possible,” said Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek, who also serves as a Workforce Board member. “We understand the stress involved in being furloughed or laid off.”
Impacted workers are encouraged to register for this free webinar to learn more.
Ferguson focused on FAFSA completion
Washington has one of the country’s most generous college financial aid programs, yet lags behind almost every other state in getting students to apply for it, The Seattle Times reports.
This fall, just before the Free Application for Federal Student Aid opened, Gov. Bob Ferguson issued an executive order aimed at boosting the number of high school seniors in Washington who fill out the form.
High school seniors and others can now apply for financial aid for the 2026-27 academic year. Applying for financial aid is a crucial first step toward college and career training. Learn more.
National initiative aims to get states on the same page about apprenticeship training and skills
A new apprenticeship project, backed by the Labor Department, aims to create more consistent standards across states for training, must-have skills, and what counts as a high-impact job, reports The Job, an online newsletter focused on workforce development.
"The idea with the new initiative is to create some consistency across that work, making it easier for companies, colleges, and intermediaries to start apprenticeship programs and operate them across borders—and making it possible for learners to apprentice in a state like Indiana but land a job in Ohio," authors wrote. Read more.
EVENTS AND RESOURCES
WSAC launches new scholarship to address behavioral health workforce shortages
Washington is working to fix its behavioral health worker shortage by starting a new scholarship program, the Washington Student Achievement Council reports. The Behavioral Health Conditional Scholarship offers up to $51,000 for students pursuing a graduate degree in behavioral health. Learn more.
Washington Filmworks offers Above the Line Education Forum
Washington Filmworks is accepting applications now for the Above the Line Education Forum, which offers business skills and tools to producers and directors who identify as members of historically underrepresented communities. The application window closes Oct. 27. Learn more and apply today.
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