Pacific Mountain workforce development area receives $3.39 million
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Media contact: Rick Van Cise, communications manager, 360-902-9454
OLYMPIA – The state’s Employment Security Department has awarded $3.39 million to the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council to help workers upgrade their skills and find work.
The funding for fiscal year July 2011 through June 2012 comes from the federal Department of Labor through the Workforce Investment Act. It’s down about $325,000 from last year due to federal budget cuts that have slashed nearly $3.3 million statewide.
The workforce development council uses the funds to provide counseling, skill assessments, job-search assistance and training to laid-off workers, low-income adults, and low-income or disadvantaged young people. The services are available through local WorkSource offices in Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston, Pacific and Lewis counties.
“The Pacific Mountain workforce region continues to struggle with high unemployment,” said Mike Kennedy, executive director for the council. “These funds will greatly assist our area in helping to retrain our workforce for emerging job opportunities.”
Employment Security and the local council are partners in the statewide WorkSource system, which provides a broad array of training and employment services to all kinds of employers and workers.
“The number-one goal of WorkSource is to put people to work, and we do that through personalized assistance that looks both at their work skills and their job-hunting skills,” said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause. “In the end, employers gain access to a higher-caliber workforce, and workers can build a brighter future for their families.”
Employment Security will distribute some $44.6 million this year to the state’s 12 workforce development councils based on their population, unemployment levels and number of disadvantaged people.
Anyone who needs help with training or finding a job should visit their nearest WorkSource employment center. Locations are listed at go2worksource.com.
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WorkSource website: www.go2worksource.com
The Employment Security Department has awarded nearly three-point four-million dollars to the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council.
The money will be used through next June to help laid-off workers, low-income adults and disadvantaged young people find jobs or receive job training. The Pacific Mountain workforce area covers Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston, Pacific and Lewis counties.
Individuals who are interested in these services should visit their nearest WorkSource employment center.