As part of Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature effort on poverty reduction and workforce development through the Economic Security for All (EcSA) program, Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) brought together local lawmakers, governor’s staff and partners to share the success story of Dreamline and its employees.
The event was held on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, from 2-3 p.m. at Dreamline, 2700 NE Andresen Road, Unit F2, Vancouver, WA 98661 and included a tour of the cabinet-making facility. Legislators, WSW board members and partners attended, including representatives from the Washington State Office of Equity, the Washington Workforce Association, Employment Security Department and WorkSource Vancouver and Cowlitz/Wahkiakum.
Economic Security for All (EcSA) – Economic Security for All (EcSA) is a state workforce development law focused on poverty prevention and reduction. It enhances and aligns existing programs and resources in local workforce systems to move individuals from poverty, or those at risk of falling into poverty, to self-sufficiency.
Locally Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW), WorkSource and other partners collaborate to ensure job seekers have access to a variety of services, including workforce training, education, certifications and support services (like clothing and tools for work) and help them overcome obstacles and reach self-sufficiency through jobs and careers. They also connect with businesses to support their workforce recruitment, training and retention needs to foster industry growth and increase quality employment in the region.
Dreamline – Dreamline was founded in 2011 by two immigrants and refugees from the former Soviet Union, Roman Vasilchuk and Sergey Voloshko. It started as a small, friend-owned business in a shop that was only approximately 1,200 square feet. Those two friends had a simple but clear vision: make good cabinets and customers will come to us.
And customers came. The company started to hire bilingual staff members from communities of immigrants and refugees, providing employment opportunities for people who arrived in the U.S. with limited English proficiency.
Over the past 13 years, the company continued to grow and fulfilled more than 2,000 orders. Dreamline’s shop today is over 15,000 square feet and employs more than 25 people.
Andrii at Dreamline
About Andrii – Andrii immigrated to the United States from Ukraine in July 2023. Shortly after arriving, he obtained his work authorization and began searching for employment. Starting over in a new country is no easy task. While his prior work experience was in mechanical engineering and equipment repair, Andrii found it difficult to find work due to a language barrier. He secured a part-time job with a Russian-speaking construction crew, but he needed full-time work, so he visited Partners in Careers (PIC) to learn more about his options.
WorkSource and PIC work together often to meet the needs of job seekers in the Southwest Washington region. At PIC, Andrii was referred to WorkSource and met with a Business Navigator who could connect with him in his native language.
At WorkSource, Andrii completed eligibility paperwork, obtained his I-9 documents, and was assessed for services. His part-time work, low income level and other needs made him eligible for the Economic Security for All (EcSA) program.
WorkSource’s Business Navigators work with companies to recruit and support candidates in their new jobs. The Business Navigator saw an opportunity for Andrii with Dreamline, a Vancouver-based company that specializes in making custom cabinets. With the help of WorkSource, he applied, interviewed, and got the job.
WorkSource has services that help both businesses and job seekers. The Business Navigator set Andrii up with an On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunity—a reimbursement program where WorkSource pays a portion of an employee’s wages while they train at a company. This allows a business to get their new hires up to speed, without the financial burden of training.
Andrii started his OJT in May and is learning to assemble cabinets, read blueprints, and follow OSHA regulations. He is working full-time and through WorkSource has received support services, such as work clothing and tools for his new job.
Southwest Washington WorkSource centers are located in Vancouver and Kelso.
About WorkSource – Part of the regional workforce development system overseen by Workforce Southwest Washington, WorkSource is a partnership of local, state and nonprofit organizations that provides an array of no-cost employment and training services to job seekers and businesses in Washington State.
For WorkSource in Southwest Washington information, visit www.WorkSourceSWWA.com.
For statewide WorkSource programs see www.WorkSourceWA.com.
WorkSource and Workforce Southwest Washington are equal opportunity employers/programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Service: 711
WSW’s PY24 EcSA program is supported by $673,261 (18% of total) U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration federal funding and (82% of total) State funds distributed by Washington State Employment Security Department: $775,000 State Economic Security for All program funding and $2,295,788 Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment funding.
