Services Regional Planning

Regional Planning

Building tomorrow's workforce

Workforce Investment Works

Pierce County Sector Priority List 

WorkForce Central has identified priority sectors for Pierce County for the period of 2011-2018 to guide workforce development strategic planning and investments in our local community.

Current Economic Situation

Regional Economist Paul Turek's Pierce County Profile (April 2013)

Pierce County Profile (WA Economic Security Department)

Regional Economist Paul Turek's Pierce County Employment Situation Presentation 

Importance of the Military in Our Community

Joint Base Lewis-McChord is the largest employer by far in Pierce County. As their presence in Pierce County and Washington state impacts both Pierce County's economy and workforce,  WorkForce Central is elevating the need to work with them to ensure they continue to have a presence here locally.

Puget Sound Regional Council's Presentation: "Prosperity Partnership, the Regional Economic Strategy & the Military" 

City of Lakewood's Presentation: "Joint Base Lewis-McChord Growth Coordination" 

Egils Milbergs', Executive Director of the Washington Economic Development Commission, "Innovation 2.0 and Washington's Defense Cluster" Presentation

Advocacy

We work to increase awareness of the circumstances of today’s workforce. The pool of qualified workers is drying up, making it difficult for employers to build the workforce they need to adapt to opportunities and challenges. WorkForce Central passionately supports workforce development and provides services that create a pool of skilled candidates and the connections to employers that need them. We advocate for positive changes within Pierce County’s workforce and support partners that invest toward specific workforce development priorities.

Resource Development

Some examples of our ongoing efforts to attract federal, state and local funds supporting Pierce County workforce development:

• $2.2 million to create 130 jobs for unemployed Pierce County residents to clean up and repair damage caused by flooding
• $3 million to support the health care partnership efforts
• $1.5 - $2 million per year to build skills, develop a healthy work ethic and provide real-world, paid work experience to public assistance recipients
• $2.2 million to train military spouses for in demand, portable careers
• $615,000 to increase training capacity at colleges
• $300,000 for at-risk youth apprenticeship programs

Positive results for the community

• Prosperity for all:
  • Improved quality of life
  • Productive citizens
  • Demographics to attract and retain businesses
  • Higher employment rate
  • Tax revenue to support infrastructure
  • Driven economy due to citizens having income to spend
  • Reduced dependence on social services
  • Reduced crime

Middle Skill Jobs

WorkForce Central is passionate about furthering the message of middle skill jobs. Middle skill jobs are those that require more than a high school diploma, but less than a four degree. WorkForce Central's Workforce Development Council is currently giving presentations on the importance of middle skill jobs and how you can get involved. If you are interested in scheduling for this presentation, call (253) 591-5450.

• Additional information:

  Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce "Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through July 2018"  report contains information regarding the need for middle skill job workers and outlooks on education.