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Our Mission: Lead a dynamic, demand-driven workforce system.
April 2014
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First KHQ/WorkSource Job Fair a Success 

 

More than 2,300 job seekers and 70 employers attended the first job fair hosted by KHQ, WorkSource Spokane and the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council on April 9. 

 

The fair attracted employers from a variety of industries including health care, manufacturing, finance and insurance, retail, education and more. All employers had current job openings, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

 

"We as an organization are extremely thrilled at the overall handling of the event and the overall support," said Chris Erickson, district human resources manager at Home Depot. "As funny as it seems, we are already looking forward to next year, and have already started making plans."

 

A similar job fair took place in Post Falls at the same time. The WDC, WorkSource Spokane, KHQ and Idaho Department of Labor are starting to plan next spring's event to accommodate more employers and job seekers. 

 

See WDC Workforce Program Manager Kyle West on Invest Northwest speaking about the job fair.

WDC Attends National Association of Workforce Boards Forum in Washington D.C.

 

Several board members and staff of the WDC traveled to Washington D.C. recently for the National Association of Workforce Boards' Annual Forum. The forum brings together stakeholders, businesses and political leaders in discussions to find solutions to workforce challenges.

 

Over the course of five days, the group from Spokane participated in targeted workshops, industry briefings and issue forums. 

 

One of the keynote speakers was U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, and Chair Joe Tortorelli and CEO Mark Mattke participated in a small group meeting with Sec. Perez while in Washington D.C.

  

The forum was also attended by board members Rob Goranson, HOTSTART; Beth Thew, Spokane Regional Labor Council/ AFL-CIO; Jennie Weber, Washington Employment Security Department; and WDC staff members Kyle West and Annie Gannon.

 

Several members of the delegation also had the chance to visit Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers to discuss workforce issues.

 

Learn more about the National Association of Workforce Boards.

WDC Sponsors NEW TECH Skill Center Team to Attend Pacific NW Apprenticeship Conference

 

The WDC sponsored the NEW TECH Skill Center team to attend the 2014 Pacific NW Apprenticeship Education Conference in Fife, Wash. this month.

 

The team was made up of five students from both the construction and welding classes at NEW TECH. They built a solar furnace using donated supplies, recycled aluminum cans and purchased materials. They built the furnace and a small room model room to test its effectiveness. They determined the furnace could heat an 8' by 10' room by 10 degrees in one hour.

 

The team presented the project at the conference and each member received a $500 education award. 

Youth Sets Career Path after Next Generation Zone Help

 

Katie Willoughby came to the Next Generation Zone in March 2012, just as she was about to graduate high school. She told career coach Jessica Cato she was interested in veterinary medicine, and she connected Katie with a local clinic where she was able to do an internship. After the internship, they hired her on a more permanent basis while she went to school at Spokane Community College. 
 
Now that the she is a licensed veterinary technician, she has a full-time position, but she isn't stopping there. "I've worked with six vets and have seen what they can do, and I want to do it, too," she said. She's looking to transfer to Washington State University next year and applying to pre-veterinary school.
 
She credits Jessica for helping her break into the field. "She really looked at my interests, and we went from there," said Katie. 
 
Learn more about the Next Generation Zone.
In This Issue
WDC Attends NAWB Forum
WDC Sponsors NEW TECH Skill Center Team
Youth Sets Career Path

Upcoming Events 

   

 Pathways to Apprenticeship

April 30

8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Inland Empire Plumbing and Pipefitting and JATC

3915 E Main

Spokane, WA 99202

 

 

May 1
SCC Aprenticeship and Journeyman Training Center
2110 N Fancher
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
 
 
May 13-14
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds
404 N Havana St
Spokane Valley, WA 99202
 
 
May 13
4 - 6 p.m.
Lincoln Center
1316 N Lincoln
Spokane, WA 99201
 
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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. Washington Relay Service 711.