People are your organizations greatest asset and investing in their training is a powerful demonstration of how much you value them. Today’s employees want to work for an organization that will provide opportunities for them to learn, grow and advance.
Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) has grant funds to reimburse companies for training their existing employees. We are looking for companies that share our dedication to equity.
WSW prioritizes investments that advance workforce equity, ensuring the public workforce system focuses on equitable support of Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian and other People of Color and historically-excluded communities, and is inclusive of companies that demonstrate commitment to providing quality jobs.
The Quality Jobs Initiative was developed with belief in the value of work and the shared benefits afforded to workers, businesses and communities through good, high-quality jobs — ones with competitive wages and benefits, predictable hours, necessary training, and opportunities for advancement — that enable workers to be self-sufficient and adequately care for themselves and their families.
In support of the Quality Jobs Initiative, WSW will invest in training with companies that are making local jobs better for women and individuals from historically-excluded communities and are able to demonstrate the actions they have taken in support of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Ensuring your employees have the skills to support and help your business grow is vital to your company’s competitiveness. Investing in training helps your workers gain skills to keep or advance in a job, your company saves money by retaining a valued employee, and the investments improve our community’s long-term growth and competitiveness.
Your application must showcase training that is designed to increase the competitiveness of your company and your workforce.
- The grant funds should be used to implement a career path and training strategy that supports the retention and advancement of your existing workers.
- Chosen training should be of high value and will warrant a pay increase for participating employees.
- At least 20% of employees should represent Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latine and other people from historically-excluded communities and immigrants, LGBTQ+, women, veterans, and people with disabilities.
Award amounts will depend on the size of your company, availability of funds, and quality of training proposed including training outcomes (pay increases and advancement opportunities).
Funds are available to manufacturing, healthcare, construction, technology, and professional, scientific and technical service companies. And should be used to enhance worker skills in high-demand jobs, as defined by WSW. If your company is not in one of these sectors, but the positions you wish to fill fall into a high-demand occupation, you may still be eligible.
You determine the training based on your company and your employee’s needs. Businesses, especially small- and medium-sized traded sector companies and those owned by women, BIPOC community members and veterans are encouraged to apply and will be awarded extra points.
Please review the application instructions, especially employer and employee eligibility, thoroughly. Grant funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact WSW’s business services team with questions and to request an application.
- Manufacturing – Alyssa Joyner, Sr. Project Manager – Manufacturing, 503.410.0408 I ajoyner@workforcesw.org
- Healthcare, Technology, Professional Services – Sean Moore, Sr. Project Manager – Healthcare and Technology, 360.762.8569 I smoore@workforcesw.org
- Construction and other industries – Darcy Hoffman, Director of Business Services, 360.608.4949 I dhoffman@workforcesw.org
When submitting your application, please connect with our team to ensure your application is completed fully and properly to avoid delays in processing. We’re here to help. Proposals will be reviewed and funded as they are received, so submit your application early. Grants will be awarded until funding runs out.
Applications are due by March 31, 2023.
