Shaping the Future of Workforce Development Through National Collaboration

We are excited to announce that the Workforce Development Council (WDC) of Seattle-King County has joined the National Skills Coalition’s newly formed WIOA Advisory Council. This council brings together over 20 leaders from 13 states and two tribal nations to help shape the future of the nation’s workforce system, just as Congress moves toward reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The WIOA Advisory Council is a key platform for local voices to influence the next phase of WIOA, ensuring the public workforce system is equitable and accessible for all workers, especially those historically underserved. By working closely with other workforce boards, community organizations, and local business representatives, WDC will contribute to the development of innovative policies that remove barriers and provide greater access to quality skills training programs.

Our involvement in this council aligns with WDC’s mission to create an inclusive workforce system that helps all workers find meaningful employment, particularly workers who face systemic inequities, including Black, Indigenous, people of color. Through the council, we will advocate for solutions that modernize workforce development and ensure more workers can thrive in quality jobs with career growth potential.

The council’s work will inform the policies that guide WIOA reauthorization and help shape a workforce system that is responsive to the needs of workers, administrators, and employers alike. Together with other council members, we’ll share our expertise and experiences to propose changes that lead to a more resilient, equitable future for workforce development.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to collaborate on driving meaningful, systemic changes in workforce policy.