Featured News

SWWDC director tapped for national Leadership Council

The National Skills Coalition (NSC), formerly known as The Workforce Alliance, has selected Lisa Nisenfeld, Executive Director, Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) to serve on its Leadership Council.

NSC is a national coalition of community–based training organizations, community colleges, unions, business leaders, local officials, and leading technical assistance and research organizations that promotes policies that invest in the skills of America's workers, helping them better support their families and helping American businesses better compete in today's economy. Click here to learn more.

SWWDC Releases 2009 Report to Community

For the eighth straight year, the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) and its partners have assisted more than 1.000 local businesses find skilled employees, placed thousands of adult jobseekers and laid-off workers in training and family-wage jobs, and provided work readiness training and experiences to more than 1,000 low-income youth. Click here to download a copy of SWWDC's 2009 Report to the Community or email info@swwdc.com to receive a copy.

SW Washington and bi–state partners receive $5 million green jobs grant

Southwest Washington will share in a $5 million bi–state “green jobs” grant awarded to Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP). The award is one of 25 nationally out of a pool of nearly $100 million in green jobs training grants authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). SWWDC was among a diverse group of partners throughout the metropolitan area that came together to develop the grant, including other workforce councils, education, labor, economic development and business organizations.

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PubTalk™ Comes to Southwest Washington
Where Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Professional Service Providers Connect with Innovation!

The next SW WA PubTalks are scheduled for February 17 and April 21, 2010. For additional information or to register click here. Advanced registration is highly encouraged as space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Nearly 470,000 “middle skill” job openings projected for Washington by 2017, new report finds

In what will play a major role in Washington’s economic recovery, nearly 470,000 “middle-skill” job openings—those that require more than a high school diploma, but less than a four-year degree—are projected for the state by 2017, concludes a new study released by The Workforce Alliance (TWA) and the Skills2Compete-Washington campaign, an affiliate of the national Skills2Compete campaign.
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SWWDC publishes workforce resource guides for job seekers

The Workforce Resource Guide for Job Seekers provides information on organizations and programs aimed at helping individuals find education, training, and employment. More than three dozen organizations and programs are profiled in two guides (Clark County and Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties) along with contact information. The guides are intended to help service providers and job seekers alike identify resources to assist them with their career objectives.