SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Workforce Council (SWC) has awarded $4.8 million in grants to help bolster workforce development efforts across multiple sectors in the Spokane community.
Four separate sectors were given funds from the grant to go towards programs that are set to launch in early 2024.
The grant will support these programs:
To combat the opioid crisis, SWC was awarded $879,363 from the U.S. Department of Labor through the Washington State Employment Security Department. This grant will be used to offer resources to those dealing with opioid addiction like peer navigator support, training and employment resources to assist with integration into the workforce.
An additional $1.35 million has been allocated to address racial, social, and economic gaps in our communities. In partnership with the poverty reduction initiative, this will help focus on helping BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color)-owned businesses and employees.
In a bi-regional partnership with Workforce Southwest Washington in Vancouver, WA, they have been awarded $2 million as part of Washington state’s Good Jobs Challenge plan. This will help 18 to 30-year old adults in their early stages of career development.
Finally, an additional $432,000 will go towards the Pierce-Spokane Construction Works in their support of TradeUp to Construction initiative. This will help provide assistance to fill labor shortages and provide opportunities for individuals in the trades industry.
“This funding provides an influx of much needed resources to help us address many critical needs head on. Support, stabilization, and helping people achieve self-sufficiency is core to our mission, and we look forward to working with our employer partners and service providers in strengthening our community,” said Jessica Clayton, Spokane Workforce Council’s Division Executive of Programs & Development.
For more information about the Spokane Workforce Council and their programs, visit their website.
