More than one-fourth of Washington's working-age households struggle to meet their basic needs, according to a report released September 26th, 2023 by the University of Washington Center for Women's Welfare. The report shows that an alarming 28% of working-age households struggle to meet their basic needs, a significant rise from 22% in 2019, showing the profound economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The problem, though pervasive across the state, is most pronounced in eastern Washington and the Olympic Peninsula, with some counties reporting 40% of households battling to cover basic needs.

Seattle, WA (February 23, 2023) – The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) has awarded $650,000 to twelve community-based organizations to support coordinated services to improve digital equity in the Seattle-King County region. The grant, funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, will amplify community access to affordable internet, devices, and digital skills training.

The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) is thrilled to embark on our WorkSource Site Certification process for current sites. The purpose of this post is to provide supporting documents and the process timeline for reference along the way. WorkSource Site Certification criteria is based on the Washington State Employment Security Department's One Stop Evaluation and Certification Policy.

A new data tool demonstrates the significant gap between racial inequality in King County as compared with state and national averages. Although the region boasts relatively high incomes, this prosperity is concentrated among the White population. The data represents the first phase of “Workforce Dynamics,” a new economic and social visualization project produced by the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC). The project offers detailed and disaggregated data visualizations, with initial focus on Place and Income.

Neighborhood House received $275,000 in Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding thanks to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. This new investment is part of an additional $4.1 million in federal funding for key projects Congresswoman Jayapal secured for our region.

We have been on a long and trying road together in the nearly two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Take a deep breath—this is one of the most extraordinary times in our history, and the disproportionate racial impact on the community has been heartbreaking. At the risk of stating the obvious, we must get the pandemic under control to ease the suffering. But let us be real with you: our vision of an equitable workforce system centering racial equity is incompatible with the pre-pandemic status quo.

The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) is awarding five organizations a total of $1.825 million to serve individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. This system creates disparate racial impacts on low-income communities, especially individuals of Black, Indigenous and Latinx origin, making it an important priority toward advancing the WDC’s commitment to equitable economic recovery.

The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) is excited to welcome four new members to the WDC Board: Dr. John Mosby, Caroline Chan, Jason Nakamura, and Kate Harkess. Collectively they bring a leadership vision and wide range of experience in many of the WDC’s priority areas for regional transformation. Please join us in welcoming them.

Angela Dunleavy, Princess Ayers-Stewart, and Katie Garrow have been elected to WDC Board leadership as Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary, respectively. The WDC is thrilled to welcome the new leadership team and is excited for them to they apply their diverse perspectives and community dedication to their leadership roles. Please join us in congratulating them.

We begin the new program year (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022) focused on recovery. Our region is seeing promising trends, from lower infection rates to positive economic indicators. Despite the beginnings of recovery, we are seeing widening economic disparities for women and people of color. This is a critical time for our region to work together around a shared vision of support and inclusion.