As we enter the New Year, there is a proclivity to improve ourselves – setting goals we would like to accomplish over the year. Why not make 2022 the year to polish up your career skills and learn new ones?
Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) invests in numerous organizations that provide a multitude of services for jobseekers wanting to gain new skills to improve employability and businesses looking to upskill their workers.
One of our partners, WorkSource, offers a diverse set of workshops each week. From ‘Using Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace’ to ‘Engaging the Generational Workforce,’ the workshops are designed to help jobseekers and currently employed individuals navigate the job seeking process.
At the helm of the workshops program is Traci Wise, Regional Facilitator & Webinar Instructor. Wise was brought on at WorkSource to develop workshops based on a list of essential skills aggregated through research. Wise began to develop the workshops from the list of 90 skills, creating dynamic in-person workshops with personal and group activities.
In March 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wise transformed the workshops from in-person to online. With the switch to online, the workshops became more accessible to a larger number of people. Now people from all over the state can virtually attend the Southwest Washington workshops. Wise’s workshops continue to evolve and develop with the ever-changing job market and she is developing new workshops for 2022.
Sample of Workshop Topics
Upcoming Workshops
Wed., Jan. 12, 9am – 12pm | Statewide Virtual Workshop – Resume and Cover Letter
Wed., Jan. 12, 10am – 12pm | Overcoming Ageism
Wed., Jan. 12, 10am – 12pm | Career Circle
Thu., Jan. 13, 1 – 4pm | Statewide Virtual Workshop – Interviewing Techniques
Thu., Jan. 13, 1:30 – 3:30pm | Refining a Diamond in the Rough – Justice Involved Employment
Fri., Jan. 14, 9am – 12pm | EN LÍNEA Estrategias de Búsqueda de Empleo (en todo el estado)
Fri., Jan. 14, 9:30 – 11:30am | Engaging the Generational Workforce
Fri., Jan. 14, 1 – 4pm | Statewide Virtual Workshop – Perfecting Applications
Tue., Jan. 18, 9am – 12pm | Statewide Virtual Workshop – Resume and Cover Letter
Tue., Jan. 18, 12pm – Fri., Jan. 21, 3pm | Online Strategies for Success Module 2
Tue., Jan. 18, 9:30 – 11:30am | Essentials of Effective Feedback
Tue., Jan. 18, 1 – 4pm | Statewide Virtual Workshop – Perfecting Applications
Wed., Jan. 19, 9am – 12pm | LinkedIn for Professional Job Search
Wed., Jan. 19, 9am – 12pm | Statewide Virtual Workshop – Interviewing Techniques
Wed., Jan. 19, 10am – 12pm | Resolving Conflict at Work
Wed., Jan. 20, 9am – 11am | Career Circle
Keep up to date and register for upcoming workshops on the WorkSource website.
Additionally, WSW developed partnerships with LinkedIn Learning and Career Karma to provide digital career pathway training. Those services are also available through WorkSource.
Since inception, LinkedIn Learning has served 389 participants through career pathways. The pathways focus on digital field and technical skills and more pathways continue to be developed based on regional demands.
The available LinkedIn Learning pathways in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties are:
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Project Management
- Courses to prepare for CompTIA A+ and CompTIA A+ Network certifications
- Agile Software Developer
- SQL Developer
- Java Programmer
- Microsoft Office learning path
Across the pathways, WorkSource offers access to 145 LinkedIn Learning courses. The pathways are available for current jobseekers, as well as businesses looking to upskill and provide learning opportunities for their employees.
LinkedIn Learning is a self-paced program, which can be done on a desktop of mobile device. Similarly, the Career Karma partnership is an online training program, with the goal to train and place women, people of color and other historically underrepresented populations in the technology sector. The Career Karma partnership, which began in 2020, serves 20 jobseekers per year.
Additional resources for those who enroll in the LinkedIn Learning or Career Karma programs through WorkSource include access to a career coach, connections for housing, food, childcare, transportation and assistance procuring work clothing and supplies.
For businesses interested in LinkedIn Learning pathways, fill out WSW’s business request form and express your interest in LinkedIn Learning.
For jobseekers interested in LinkedIn Learning pathways or Career Karma, reach out to WorkSource Vancouver at 360.735.5000 or WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum at 360.577.2250 or contact Traci Wise at CoachTraci@careersnw.org.
