What's New
08.05.10 - Study Shows Sector Initiatives Increase Earnings
A six-year study claims there is compelling evidence that industry-specific training programs can increase the earnings of a range of disadvantaged populations. Public/Private Ventures, a national policy and research organization, has released "Tuning In to Local Labor Markets".
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08.02.10 - Karen Lee announces resignation
Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee announced today that she will leave her post at the end of September to take a new job. Lee, who has been with Gov. Chris Gregoire’s administration since March 2005, has accepted a position as the CEO of Pioneer Human Services in Seattle.
Read her email to staff and partners.
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06.10.10 - Workforce Board to Learn About Rural Workforce Development
The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board will meet in Colville, June 24. The Workforce Board will hear a report on rural workforce development and a number of other business matters. Agenda and memos will be available on our website by June 17.
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05.25.10 - Summer Jobs included in Tax Extender's Bill
The House Ways and Means Committee released the text of the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (HR 4213), which extends eligibility for UI benefits, COBRA health care tax credits, and other critical programs to support American workers through year-end; includes an extension of the TANF emergency fund through September 2011; and provides $1 billion for Summer Jobs.
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05.12.10 -YVCC Announces GED Classes at WorkSource Yakima
YVCC is very excited to offer GED classes at WorkSource Yakima, Monday through Thursday at 1:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Interested persons should contact YVCC at 574-6850 or WorkSource at 574-0125.
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04.08.10 - HEALTH CARE TASK FORCE LAYS OUT 2010 WORKFORCE AGENDA
Strategies for growing the state's health care workforce, and avoiding ongoing shortages in key occupations including nurses, physicians, pharmacists and physical therapists, are contained in the latest report just issued to the Governor and Legislature by the Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force.
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03.25.10 - Summer Youth Jobs Bill Passes House - Last night, by a vote of 239-175 (with one member voting present), the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4899, the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010. This bill contains $600 million for a summer jobs program administered by the local workforce delivery system.
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03.01.10 - BTOP Grant Awarded to South Central WorkSource - Secretary Locke announces recovery act investment in Washington to expand broadband internet access and spur economic growth. The grant will bring high-speed Internet access to more than 100 community anchor institutions – including community colleges, libraries, healthcare facilities, and government agencies
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02.23.10 - The Teanaway Solar Reserve Reaches Next Milestone - Cle Elum, Wash. – The Teanaway Solar Reserve (TSR) Monday delivered a supplemental Conditional Use Permit application to Kittitas County to support its request for a permit to construct a 75 MW solar photovoltaic generation facility outside of Cle Elum. If approved by the County, TSR will be one of the largest photovoltaic solar projects in the world.
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01.16.10 - 2009 LMEA Report Released - The 2009 Washington State Labor Market and Economic Report is available. This report was prepared by the Labor Market and Economic Analysis (LMEA) branch of ESD. Excerpt:
"Washington state employment peaked a little later
(February 2008) than did the nation, but didn’t
suffer sustained losses until the second half of
2008. Since February 2009, the state has registered
employment declines in 17 of the last 19
months. However, the state unemployment rate
has been lower than the national rate since spring."
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