Strategic Plan for Workforce Development

High Skills, High Wages 2006:
Washington’s Strategic Plan for Workforce Development

High Skills, High Wages 2006 identifies four goals for the state’s workforce development system:

1. Youth: Ensure all Washington youth receive the education, training, and support they need for success in postsecondary education and/or work.
   
2. Adults: Provide Washington adults (including those with barriers to education and employment) with access to lifelong education, training, and employment.
   
3. Industry: Meet the workforce needs of industry by preparing students, current workers, and dislocated workers with the skills employers need.
   
4. Integration: Integrate services provided by separately funded workforce development programs so that we provide the best possible service to our customers.

The state’s 2006 plan includes goals, objectives and strategies to position Washington State for prosperity in the global economy. To further this important agenda, the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board identified ten Strategic Opportunities for the 2006 plan:

1. Increasing high school graduation rates.
2. Expanding the availability of career pathways that span secondary and postsecondary education and training.
3. Increasing postsecondary training capacity.
4. Increasing financial aid and retention support for workforce education students.
5. Increasing Adult Basic Skills and English as a Second Language instruction that is integrated with occupational skills training.
6. Improving coordination between workforce and economic development in key economic clusters.
7. Expanding and sustaining skill panels.
8. Expanding customized training for incumbent workers.
9. Expanding the availability of the Work Readiness Credential.
10. Developing state and local agreements on service integration

Executive Summary
Full Plan