A new federal student aid program is a major win for both workers and employers, the Workforce Board’s Marina Parr told lawmakers Thursday.

Workforce Pell grants were approved by Congress and signed into law earlier this year. The grants are intended as financial aid for students enrolled in short-term programs that lead to in-demand jobs.

“Workers need shorter pathways to get the skills they need to give them the momentum in the marketplace,” Parr, director of workforce system advancement, told the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee.

Clean energy jobs are expected to remain in high demand throughout Washington, despite rollbacks of federal incentives for new projects, a new Workforce Board report shows. Demand for electricity in Washington is increasing and new jobs are expected in the construction, critical minerals, manufacturing, aerospace and maritime industries, among others. 

Check out this resource page with information for Washington workforce development professionals.

Eleni Papadakis has served as the Executive Director of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, more commonly known as the Workforce Board, since 2007. Business, labor and government stakeholders are equally represented on this tri-partite board, which oversees 16 different state and federal funding streams in the state’s comprehensive workforce development system.

Talent and Prosperity for All (TAP) is Washington’s strategic workforce plan. The plan supports employer needs for skilled workers and living wage jobs in all communities. The Workforce Board develops and oversees the implementation of the state’s strategic workforce plan.

The Workforce Board provides evaluation, accountability and strategic direction to help keep Washington’s workforce system on a high impact, continuous improvement path. The Board advocates for employers who depend on skilled workers and workers who need access to living wage jobs.