Spokane Area Workforce Development Council CEO Mark Mattke was elected last year as a member of U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council Board of Directors.
The group is made up of workforce leaders from many different metro areas throughout the U.S. At a meeting last month in Seattle focused on supporting the future workforce, Mattke presented on the SAWDC's successful Inspire Washington initiative, which created an online platform to connect young people to a range of work-based learning activities, including job shadows, internships and more.
"Cities across the country recognize that youth unemployment is at record-high levels, and programs such as Inspire Washington can help provide young people pathways into the labor market," said Mattke.
Several other areas from around the nation expressed interest in learning more about the means to replicate the program, and there has also been growing momentum across Washington state in developing a common platform to connect businesses with young people.
Locally, as an enhancement to the Inspire Washington site, the SAWDC has partnered with Seven2's Tyler Lafferty and Greater Spokane Incorporated to launch a virtual matching tool called Access2Experience. For more information about how businesses and educators can virtually connect using this site, please email us.
The grant from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Foundation provides funding to educate young adults on basic financial principles, help them set and attain goals and increase their financial stability. The objective is to reach individuals from low-income households who are starting their first jobs or paid internships.
