Washington's Workforce Development System

Washington State’s workforce development system is a network of services, programs, and investments with a shared goal of improving the skills of the state’s workforce.

At the state level, the Workforce Board, through a legislatively required strategic planning process, coordinates 17 programs administered by 7 agencies. Every two years, a plan with goals, objectives, and strategies is established to address state needs. The Board reports to the Legislature every year on the progress of this plan.

The Workforce Board also partners with 12 local workforce development councils to coordinate workforce development activities in their regions with local economic development strategies.

Resources

Organization	Program	Funding
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges	Postsecondary Technical Education Adult Education and Basic Skills Worker Retraining Program Volunteer Literacy Program Job Skills Program	$351,362,402 $ 76,253,521 $ 35,259,100 $ 436,617 $1,475,000
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction	Secondary Career and Technical Education Even Start Family Literacy Program	$273,388,239 $2,764,443
Employment Security Department	WIA, Title I-B Dislocated Worker Program WIA, Title I-B Adult Training Programs WIA, Title I-B Youth Activities Programs Training Benefits Program Wagner-Peyser	$35,787,000 $23,000,000 $25,342,000 $20,000,000 $15,617,015
Department of Social and Health Services	Division of Vocational Rehabilitation	$49,101,381
Department of Services for the Blind	Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind	$7,980,184
Department of Labor and Industries	Apprenticeship	$1,200,000
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board	Carl D. Perkins Technical Education Private Vocational School Act	$1,167,968 $177,164
Total Public Funds		$920,312,034