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Our Mission: Lead a dynamic, demand-driven workforce system.
April 2012
Medical Assistants
Left to right: Stacia Reagan, SCC MA Program Director; Candy Howard, MA Instructor; MA graduates Donna Gallagher, Pam Eden and Noelle Oberhauser.

Medical Assistant Class Reports Unprecedented Success 

 

The Spokane Area Workforce Development Council recently funded a class of 18 in the Medical Assistant (MA) Program at Spokane Community College (SCC). After completing a full year of night classes, every student passed the national American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) exam. "This is a huge accomplishment, given that the national average pass rate for first time takers is just 60 percent," said Stacia Reagan, MA Program Director. It's the first time it has ever been achieved at SCC as well. Additionally, all of the class members are now employed or furthering their education in the medical field.

 

Many of the students were under significant pressure--some were single mothers, and one was homeless during the program. Most were first-generation college students.

 

One student who is now employed full time in a local clinic said, "I have young children, and I needed a professional job. Now I have a job with insurance, and it's a job I love."

Certified Job Profiler Now Available in Spokane

For employers who want to reduce turnover, decrease hiring workkeys logoexpenses and make training more effective, the ACT WorkKeys assessments can be extremely beneficial. But knowing which assessments to use and what skills to test for can sometimes be difficult.

Jack Kaplan, Employer Resource Specialist at WorkSource Spokane, is now an ACT certified job profiler. That means Jack can work with businesses to determine the exact skills needed at what level for a position. Through job shadows, focus groups with current employees and meetings with management, Jack develops a customized job profile report that documents the tasks of the job and skill levels required. This process determines the validity of using of WorkKeys assessments as criteria for hiring and promotion.

 

Companies who have already gone through the process are seeing the benefit, said Jack. "The main advantage is their turnover is significantly reduced." Find more information about profiling or contact Jack at 509-532-3061.

Spokane Area Workforce Development Council Presents at ACT Workforce Conference   

 

Burrow ACT Conference
Brian Burrow presents at national
ACT conference in Chicago.

The Spokane Area Workforce Development Council was asked to share knowledge and best practices at ACT's Workforce 2012 conference in Chicago earlier this month. Dawn Karber and Brian Burrow conducted a one-hour workshop entitled, Accelerating Statewide Adoption of WorkKeys in Washington State. The conference was attended by major employers; elected officials; and representatives of workforce boards, career one-stops, and community colleges from around the nation.

 

During the conference, Dawn and Brian met with key leaders in workforce development, including ACT's leadership team; the Honorable Sonny Perdue, former Governor of Georgia; and Jim Clifton, Chairman and CEO of the Gallup Organization. The SAWDC was both well received and well represented.

 

 

In This Issue
Job Profiler in Spokane
SAWDC Presents at National ACT Conference

 

Next Generation Zone Featured on Spokane Insight

 

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Click above to view the video  

View City Cable 5 Schedule for airings throughout May 

 

 

 

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Upcoming Events 

 

Breakfast of Champions-

Chase Youth Commission 

April 27

7:30 a.m.

Lincoln Center  

ABCs of Educational

Attainment

- Priority Spokane 

May 8

7 - 9 a.m. 

Lincoln Center

 

Spokane County Economic Symposium 

May 18

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

EWU, Riverpoint Campus

 

Washington Economic Development Association 

Spring/Summer Conference

June 13

 

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Quick Links

 

SAWDC Website

   

WorkSource Spokane

  

Next Generation Zone 

  

 

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The Spokane Area Workforce Development Council is an equal opportunity employer and provider of employment and training services.  Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TDD/TTY (509) 532-3084