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OLYMPIA – The state’s Employment Security Department has awarded nearly $5.9 million to the Tacoma-Pierce County Workforce Development Council to help workers upgrade their skills and find work. 

The funding for fiscal year July 2012 through June 2013 comes from the federal Department of Labor through the Workforce Investment Act. The Tacoma-Pierce workforce area is getting about $316,000 more than last year. 

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 employment centers and affiliated sites.

Despite the slow economy, the council’s chief executive officer, Linda Nguyen, says, “Our businesses continue to have difficulty filling their jobs with qualified talent.” 

She said the council will invest the federal workforce funds in locally determined strategies that increase the competitiveness of the Pierce County workforce and businesses.

The local council and Employment Security are partners in the statewide WorkSource system, which provides a broad array of training and employment services to all kinds of employers and workers. 

“WorkSource helps job-seekers gain the job skills and job-search skills they need to be successful in the job market,” said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause. “Employers and local communities reap the benefits of a well-prepared workforce.”

Employment Security will distribute some $48.9 million this year to the state’s 12 workforce development councils based on their population, unemployment levels and number of disadvantaged people. The appropriation is about $600,000 more than last year. 

The availability and final amount of the funding distributed may be affected by Congressional budget action.

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

Broadcast version

The Employment Security Department has awarded nearly five-point-nine-million dollars to the Tacoma-Pierce 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 services are available through local WorkSource employment centers and affiliated sites in Pierce County.

Individuals who are interested in these services should visit their nearest WorkSource employment center.