Washington Workforce Conference | Staff Presentation Highlights

Seattle-King County staff presented on a range of workforce development topics at annual statewide conference.

The Washington Workforce Conference took place November 6 & 7 with the theme “Powerful Partnerships: Building the Talent Pipeline,” hosted by the Washington Workforce Association.

Eleven staff and board member Ligaya Domingo from the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County presented nine seminars covering the current state of workforce development, with collaboration from the regional system and across the state.

In order of presentation:

The New Older Workplace

Beth Blanchard, Moderator/Lead Presenter
Georgia Duffy, Co-Presenter
Art Dreeban, Co-Presenter
Tom Auflick, Co-Presenter

The population of younger workers with sufficient education and skills is not large enough or growing fast enough to make up for the impending retirement of Baby Boomers. How are Workforce Development Councils and the WorkSource system prepared for and serving this population of jobseekers?

Investing in Staff as Front Line Leaders

Liesel Schilperoort, Moderator/Lead Presenter
Samara Reich Thomas, Co-Presenter

Investment in professional staff development brings substantial return. How do we know? Over the past 10 years, we’ve strategically coordinated training and curricula for professional development within WorkSource Seattle-King County.

Partners in Apprenticeship: Workforce Development Councils as Innovators in Work-Based Learning

Jason Petrait, Moderator/Lead Presenter

We’re engaging apprenticeships, employers, unions, and job seekers to facilitate the expansion of existing apprenticeship opportunities and the growth of new apprenticeships. Attendees learned about the current state of work-based learning and how to recognize opportunities to expand apprenticeship in their workforce areas.

Equity and Economic Security for Immigrants, Refugees and All Working People: Re-Envisioning Workforce Development and Adult Education

Ligaya Domingo, Moderator
Glenn S. Davis, Lead Presenter
Jennifer Hernandez, Co-Presenter

Immigrants and refugees represent more than one in six American workers, over 17 percent of the workforce, but they remain disproportionally employed in low-wage service jobs with high levels of underemployment and involuntary part-time work. Attendees received a toolkit resource and discussed robust targeted workforce and adult education programs utilizing both WIOA and non-WIOA funding to address labor market, institutional, language, education, and social barriers facing immigrant jobseekers and workers.

WorkSource Brand Basecamp: Marketing Solutions for WorkSource Professionals

Janelle Guthrie, Moderator
Gary Smith, Lead Presenter
Hannah Mello, Co-Presenter
Curt Wilson, Co-Presenter
Bill Tarrow, Co-Presenter

The Washington Workforce Association Brand and Media group works together to develop professionally branded materials for print, web, and social media. Attendees toured the new Brand Basecamp, designed to provide WorkSource staff with tools to conduct successful employer and job seeker outreach.

Micro-Information Products (MIP) Today – Getting the Most from the System You Already Have

Marcelle Wellington, Moderator
Patti Miele, Lead Presenter

Micro-Information Products (MIP) is one of the most flexible, robust, and popular non-profit accounting software services in today’s market. Attendees learned how to get the most out of the system in order to make strategic business decisions.

Learn from the Experiences of Two Local National Health Professions Opportunity Grant (HPOG) Projects in Multiple Areas in the State

Seanna Ruvkun, Moderator/Lead Presenter
Charlie Thompson, Co-Presenter

A discussion on lessons learned from participation in the national Health Professions Opportunity Grant (HPOG), administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Attendees identified opportunities and strategies for engaging diverse program participants in career pathway planning and progress aligned with industry need.

How Does an Integrated Communications Strategy Affect the Way We Do Business?

Hannah Mello, Moderator/Co-Presenter
Bryan Pannell, Lead Presenter
Heidi Seveska, Co-Presenter
Joe Taylor, Co-Presenter 

An effective communications strategy is critical to getting information to all possible audiences. Attendees learned how an integrated communications strategy allows small organizations to meet the increased opportunities—and demands—of the digital age.

Job Readiness Training Curriculum: Evaluation and Professional Development for Youth Programs

Sean Morrin, Moderator/Lead Presenter
Mike Davie, Co-Presenter

Many curricula and programs aim to build the pipeline of workers by engaging young adults in job readiness training. Attendees learned how current research and tools can help to evaluate current job readiness curricula and programs to strategically plan for the future workforce.

Thanks to all presenters, attendees, and to the Washington Workforce Association for a great conference. See you next year!