SAWDC logo R
Our Mission: Lead a dynamic, demand-driven workforce system.
October 2013
WorkSource Gives Job Seeker Tools to Succeed

 

Lory Brager was a human resources professional who had been at her company nearly nine years when she was laid off in 2009. "I'd ever been unemployed and not been able to find work," she said. "It was just mind boggling, and I was so humiliated."

 

She started her job search by looking at postings online and in the newspaper, but she didn't get many results. After two years, she found a position she knew would be temporary. When her position ended, she was determined to do things differently.

 

"This time, I was not humiliated. I realized that I didn't create this. I am not a victim," she said. Lory knew there was resources out there to help her, and that's when she came to WorkSource Spokane. She started by taking every workshop she could. She took a class on LinkedIn and created a profile. She joined the Hire U job club.

 

"I was totally engaged. I spent 20-30 hours a week with WorkSource and all of the things they have to offer," she said. "That was my full-time job. I was making it happen."

 

After WorkSource Specialist Jack Kaplan's workshop, she changed her cover letter to reflect the value she could bring to the company and customized every resume she sent. She honed her 60-second commercial and ordered her own business cards for networking.

 

When WorkSource Specialist Stephanie Benefield, who was Lory's career coach, received a call from a law firm asking for a lead on a human resources position, she knew just who to recommend. After seven months of being unemployed, Lory became the director of human resources at Witherspoon Kelley.

 

She credits her perseverance, optimism and professionalism to her successful job search. That and all the things she learned at WorkSource. "I have nothing but good things to say about WorkSource and how they help people find jobs," she said. 

Next Generation Zone Featured at National Youth Development Symposium

 

WDC Chief Operating Officer Dawn Karber and Next Generation Zone Youth Services Manager Heidi Peterson presented this week at the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals Youth Development Symposium in Chicago.

 

Their workshop focused on how to serve large numbers of young adults despite dwindling funds. They described how by pooling resources, organizations in Spokane have been successful at serving many youth and improved outcomes.

 

More than 550 participants from across the nation attended the symposium which gives workforce development professionals from across the spectrum a chance to connect and learn from one another.

Spokane Workforce Programs Continued Despite Government Shutdown

 

Throughout the recent government shutdown the WDC and its services to job seekers, youth and businesses remained intact. Through careful budget management, the WDC was able to ensure direct services were not impacted.

 

"Had the shutdown continued, cutbacks to services would have become necessary," said WDC CEO Mark Mattke. "Fortunately, an agreement was reached, and we now have resources through a federal allocation for the balance of our fiscal year. These funds are leveraged with other grants to ensure our business and job seeker customers obtain the services they need."

 

If you have any questions about the impacts of the shutdown, contact 509-533-8480 or email [email protected]

Careers in Energy Week a Success

Careers in Energy Week was celebrated October 14-19 with numerous events throughout the Spokane region. College and career fairs were held at Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University and the Spokane Tribe. The Avista Line School/Jack Stewart Training Center turned high school instructors, counselors, workforce professionals and veterans' representatives into apprentices for the day. Mobius Science Center and Avista Utilities also hosted an evening event for educators and others to meet with energy professionals.

Additionally, the City of Spokane, City of Spokane Valley and Spokane County all issued official proclamations declaring it Careers in Energy Week in the region.

Overall, 12 events reached more than 600 people in the Spokane area. Now in its third year, Spokane has consistently been at the forefront of the statewide effort to promote and host events for Careers in Energy Week. 

Learn more about the statewide reach of Careers in Energy Week.  
Spokane Cradle to Career Selected as Strive Together Community

 

During this past year, Spokane Cradle-to-Career, led by United Way of Spokane County, has been able to engage a large number of key stakeholders across the breadth of our community - K-12 schools districts, local government, the higher education system, GSI, the Workforce Development Council, faith-based and community-based organizations and the local medical system. In January 2013, Spokane was chosen by Strive Together, United Way Worldwide and the Target Corporation as one of 12 cities that would receive direct consultation about how to develop a local Cradle-to-Career initiative using their "Theory of Action." 

 

Most recently, Spokane was selected as one of the seven cities from the original cohort to be a part of the Strive Together communities. Our initiative will receive an additional 12 months of direct consultation, coaching and support as well as $50,000 to help increase capacity. Spokane was chosen because of its demonstrated leadership and alignment of cross-sector partners to help achieve results.

 

Learn more about Strive Network communities.

In This Issue
Next Generation Zone Featured at National Symposium
Workforce Programs Continued Despite Shutdown

Upcoming Events 

  

Washington Workforce Association Meeting

November 6-7

Radisson Hotel Seattle Airport

18118 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98188

 

 

Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board Meeting

November 14

Opportunity Center for Employment and Education

North Seattle Community College

9600 College Way North
Seattle, WA 98103

 

 

Manufacturers' Roundtable

November 15

10 a.m. - noon

Spokane Valley Tech

115 S. University Road

Spokane Valley, WA 99206

 

 

16th Annual Economic Forecast

November 20

7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Spokane Convention Center

334 W Spokane Falls Blvd

Spokane, WA 99201 

 

 

_________________


Quick Links


 

 

 

Next Generation Zone



Access2Experience

 

 

 

CCS Center for Workforce & Continuing education

 

 

 

State Employment & Economic Information

 

 

_______________

 

 

 


twitter

 

 

 

youtube button

 

 

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. Washington Relay Service (TTY) 1-800-833-6388 or 711.