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 -- faxinfo@swwdc.orgwww.swwdc.org