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Media contact: Rick Van Cise, WorkSource communications manager, 360-902-9454

OLYMPIA – “Success! Offer received today!”  That’s just one of many jubilant messages from those who used WorkSource to get a wide variety of jobs, from aerospace to software testing and composite manufacturing. 

Already this year, WorkSource has helped more than 4,000 job seekers navigate the complex hiring process at Boeing and other firms through special workshops in Skagit, Snohomish, King, Kitsap and Pierce counties.  In Snohomish County alone, the heart of Washington’s aerospace industry, 22 percent report getting hired after using the important skills they learned.

Michael Jee of Seattle is one.

“I know these workshops really prepared me for my journey, and no doubt have helped others as well,” said Jee.

There is similar success for recently discharged veterans.  In the Tri-Cities, WorkSource workshops taught by military veterans show fellow vets how to master lengthy and complicated civilian job applications.  More than half of those receiving such services have been hired.

And new training partnerships between WorkSource, community colleges and private companies are helping other vets get jobs in software testing in Redmond and advanced composite manufacturing in Bremerton.

“Labor Day is a good time to reflect on the status of our work force and the effectiveness of our workforce development efforts,” said state Employment Security Director Paul Trause. “We may not be able to create jobs for businesses, but we can help employers and job seekers fill the vacancies that exist as quickly as possible.”

WorkSource is a statewide partnership of Employment Security, local workforce development councils, other state and local agencies, colleges and nonprofit organizations that work together to provide free employment and training services to job seekers and employers. WorkSource also can help employers recruit and screen for qualified workers, apply for employment tax breaks and qualify for subsidized employee training.

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Broadcast version

As the economy continues its slow recovery this Labor Day, WorkSource is helping thousands of Washington jobseekers get back on their feet.

Already this year, special workshops organized by local WorkSource offices have helped more than four-thousand applicants navigate the complex hiring process at Boeing and other aerospace firms – and many of them have been hired as a result.

WorkSource offices also have specialists whose sole mission is to help military veterans enter the civilian work force.

On this Labor Day, the state Employment Security Department is reminding the more than 300-thousand job seekers in our state about the free job-search assistance, job training, and other employment services that are available at your local WorkSource office.

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