Workforce Central (Tacoma Pierce County)

WorkForce News

Tacoma & Pierce County Headlines


Mar 14, 2011

Now is not the time for Congress to make job-training cuts

This is the worst time to consider federal cuts to job training and placement programs for people in need – people who increase the productivity and competitive-ness at local companies. When unemployment hovers more than 9 percent, investing in those...   More »

Feb 02, 2011

Paving the Way to Employment for Homeless Families in Pierce County

New Partnership to provide Housing and Employment Navigator to families in need

Tacoma, Wash. – Building Changes and the Washington Families Fund today announced a new partnership with WorkForce Central, Pierce County’s workforce investment board, to provide employment services for families who have recently experienced homelessness.

     “Getting on a path to employment...   More »

Jan 31, 2011

$4.8 Million Awarded to Pierce and Thurston Counties for Military Displacement

Military spouses and civilian defense workers to be assisted with funds

Tacoma, Wash. – The U.S. Department of Labor announced Monday that a National Emergency Grant of approximately $4.8 million has been awarded to help 825 displaced military spouses and civilian defense workers in Pierce and Thurston Counties gain skills and...   More »

Jan 27, 2011

Organizations Recognized for Investing in the Workforce

Tacoma, Wash. – Two Pierce County organizations were honored in January for their workforce development efforts, receiving WorkForce Central’s “Recognition of Excellence in Workforce Development” awards.

      The Labor Management Cooperation Committee [LMCC] received the Skilling Up America’s 21st Century Workforce...   More »

Dec 30, 2010

Businesses Must Look Outside Pierce County for Talent

Pierce County residents lack necessary job skills

Tacoma, Wash - Approximately 70 percent of Pierce County businesses find it necessary to seek talent outside of Pierce County to fill job openings, according to a recent survey done by WorkForce Central. Forty-seven percent of these businesses find it necessary to...   More »

Dec 20, 2010

WorkForce Central Invites Award Submissions

Tacoma, Wash. – Pierce County businesses are invited to submit an application for a Recognition of Excellence for Workforce Development award.

     WorkForce Central has established the new annual award program to recognize businesses who invest significant time and resources in...   More »

Sep 01, 2010

Watson Joins WorkForce Central Team

Chief Administration Officer position filled

Tacoma, Wash. – WorkForce Central is pleased to announce that Holly Watson has joined the organization as the new Chief Administration Officer.

Watson joins WorkForce Central with 32 years of workforce development experience. She has multiple years of managing employment and...   More »

Aug 15, 2010

International Nursing Program

Partnership forms to put international nurses in this community back to work

Tacoma, Wash. - A pilot program will launch this fall to put local resident immigrants who are skilled in nursing back to work in local hospitals and clinics.

Tacoma Community College, WorkForce Central and Franciscan Health System are collaborating to form...   More »

Jul 28, 2010

WorkForce Central Announces Workforce Development Council Chairs

New leadership for the WDC

Tacoma, Wash. – WorkForce Central is pleased to announce the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Workforce Development Council (WDC), and the Chair of the WDC Youth Council.

Eric Hahn, Vice President of Organizational Development at General Plastics Manufacturing, has been elected...   More »

Jun 28, 2010

WorkForce Central Continues Sustainable Economy Discussion

Engaging stakeholders, working together towards a sustainable Pierce County economy

Tacoma, Wash. – WorkForce Central is pleased to announce the Pierce County Sustainable Economy and Environment Study (SEES), which aims to support growth of a sustainable local economy.

SEES is organic in nature, and will be based off the direction of...   More »

May 28, 2010

Alaska Commercial Company Settles in Pierce County

Supply company gets valuable help from the Business Connection

Tacoma, Wash. – Alaska Commercial Company, which operates 30 AC Value Centers, offering both food and non-food products to remote villages throughout Alaska, has successfully settled a warehouse location in Pierce County at the Port of Tacoma, with the assistance...   More »

May 24, 2010

VersaCold Hiring Event Attracts 300 people

Twenty-one people hired as a result

Tacoma, Wash. – Approximately 300 people attended a hiring event for VersaCold Logistics, one of the largest cold storage companies in the world, held at the WorkForce Central Business Connection’s Lakewood location on Friday, May 21, and Saturday, May 22....   More »

May 07, 2010

Businesses Learn How to Build a D.A.M.

The WorkForce Central Business Connection puts on workshop for businesses and HR professionals

Tacoma, Wash. – Wednesday morning Pierce County businesses and HR professionals were treated to a workshop put on by the WorkForce Central Business Connection. The workshop, ‘How to Build a D.A.M.,’ or Dynamic Application Management process, provided practical information on...   More »

Apr 21, 2010

Training Opportunity and New Jobs for Pierce County

Three organizations partner to bring a unique opportunity to the Pierce County community

Tacoma, Wash. – Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR), WorkForce Central and Tacoma Community College are partnering to provide training and job opportunities to 60 Pierce County adults.

“This partnership will allow us to provide much needed jobs to east Pierce...   More »

Apr 21, 2010

MetLife Award Given to Recognize Brownfields Initiative Partnership

Brownfields Initiative recognized for promoting educational and economic advancement

Tacoma, Wash. – It was announced on Sunday, April 18, that Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) was one of three national winners to receive the prestigious 2010 MetLife Foundation Community College Excellence Award, for the Brownfields Initiative partnership. The award...   More »

Apr 20, 2010

Summer Youth Employment Program Helped Youth Get Jobs

Over 1,200 Pierce County Youth received paid work experience as a result of the program

Tacoma, Wash. – One thousand, two hundred and thirty six Pierce County youth received jobs as a result of the $2.3 million invested by WorkForce Central for the Summer Youth Employment Program. The program helped youth, ages 14-24, develop job...   More »

Apr 12, 2010

Learn to Earn

Three organizations partner to bring unique learning opportunity to Pierce County youth

Tacoma, Wash. – WorkForce Central, Resources for Education and Career Help (REACH) and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber present “Learn to Earn Day,” on Friday, April 23, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. REACH will host the event at the...   More »

Mar 22, 2010

WorkForce Central Hosts Sustainable Economy Discussion

WSU Extension Energy Program Research Associates lead the conversation

Tacoma, Wash. – On the heels of Gov. Chris Gregoire’s revelation that Washington state’s economy is getting greener based on a new report by the state’s Employment Security Department, WorkForce Central convened stakeholders March 18 to discuss a sustainable economy for...   More »

Mar 12, 2010

WorkForce Central Announces Funding Awardees

1321 employees to be trained with awarded funds

Tacoma, Wash. – WorkForce Central is pleased to announce the awardees of the $450,000 employee training fund, publicized last month. Out of 179 employers who submitted requests, 61 were chosen to receive funding. A total of 1,321 employees are to be...   More »

Mar 02, 2010

The Business Case for Sustainability

Opportunity for businesses to learn how sustainability saves money

Tacoma, Wash. – In a recovering economy, many businesses are still searching for ways to cut costs and stay within budget. In response to this need, TacomaACTS is partnering with WorkForce Central to present the Business Case for Sustainability event...   More »

Mar 01, 2010

Neal-Smith Joins WorkForce Central Team

New director for the Business Connection

Tacoma, Wash. – Jessica Neal-Smith has joined WorkForce Central, filling the position of Business Services Director for the Business Connection team. The Business Connection provides business consulting and staffing solutions to Pierce County’s employers.

As the new director of the business...   More »

Feb 01, 2010

$450,000 Available to Help Pierce County Businesses for Employee Training

WorkForce Central has funding to update employee skills and help businesses stay competitive

Tacoma, Wash. – WorkForce Central (WFC) is inviting Pierce County businesses to apply...   More »

Jan 21, 2010

Green Job Opportunities for Pierce County

WorkForce Central partnering with Clover Park Technical College to provide green industry training

Tacoma, Wash. – Pierce County will receive $320,000 to train approximately 40 Pierce County residents, according to Linda Nguyen, CEO of WorkForce Central (WFC). This is part of the larger grant...   More »

Dec 17, 2009

WorkForce Central Announces Rewarding Youth Internship Programs

Internships provide job experience, develop work readiness and award scholarships

Tacoma, Wash. — WorkForce Central announces two rewarding youth internship programs, Youth Empowered to Succeed and Youth In Demand, that will develop more...   More »

Dec 14, 2009

WorkForce Central Events Introduce Teens to In-Demand Careers

More than 1,500 Pierce County teens attend construction and health care career events

Tacoma, Wash. — More than 1,500 high school students from all areas of Pierce County attended WorkForce Central’s 2nd annual Construction Career Day...   More »

Dec 04, 2009

WorkForce Central Partnership Earns Gov. Gregoire’s

Collaboration of business, government and education leads to workforce and economic development

Tacoma, Wash.—Governor Gregoire has honored a WorkForce Central partnership with the 2009 Best Practice Award for Workforce and Economic Development. Workforce Central’s Business Connection division partnered with General Plastics Manufacturing Company...   More »

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