WDC CEO receives national award at U.S. Conference of Mayors

Citing her tireless efforts to put people back to work, the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council has honored Marléna Sessions, CEO of the WDC of Seattle-King County, with its first-ever Distinguished Service Award. Read the press release… "Marlena is our first recipient and very deserving of this special recognition,” said outgoing council president Tom Phillips. He...

WorkSource Community Discussion Board

Update: Comments from Community Input Meeting added below Share your ideas for making WorkSource even better! The WDC welcomes your recommendations and new ideas for making the WorkSource Seattle-King County system work better to meet the needs of all jobseekers and employers, particularly in these challenging economic times. The WDC will incorporate your ideas as we develop our Request for...

WDC report shows value of career navigators

Career navigators and their value to jobseekers are highlighted in a new report from the WDC. Connecting to Employment explains the work of a career navigator in two models, one in which the navigator works to directly support people in training, and one in which the navigator is a resource and relationship builder among agency staff and employers. The WDC’s Homeless Employment Navigator...

WDC CEO to speak at City Club event

Marlena Sessions, Chief Executive Officer of the WDC, will be a featured speaker at City Club’s luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 30. The topic is “Got Stress?’” The WDC was invited to speak on the effect of stress on jobseekers and resources available to help. Details below. HealthCare Series: Got Stress? [click to follow link to registration] Town Hall Seattle  |  1119 –...

New report shows each dollar invested in workforce returns $10+ to local economy

A new report shows that federal Workforce Investment Act funding returns $10.45 for every dollar invested in Seattle-King County. What’s more, $146 million will be generated for our economy by the adults and youth placed in jobs by Workforce Investment Act programs during just one program year. The WDC commissioned the study by Economic Modeling Specialists Inc. (EMSI) to examine the economic...

SODO Inc. youth employment partnership wins Governor’s Best Practice award

The WDC-led SODO Inc. program, which provides young people with skills training and hands-on work experience in the industrial trades, has won a 2011 Governor’s Best Practice Award for Workforce and Economic Development. Announced Nov. 16 by Governor Chris Gregoire, the awards recognize projects that benefit both workers and the economy. SODO Inc., a federally funded collaboration between...

WDC leads national gathering on homeless jobseekers

Workforce and homeless services leaders from five cities across the country will come together tomorrow in Seattle to share their expertise in serving the employment needs of homeless individuals. Thanks to a generous grant to the WDC from the Butler Family Fund, leaders from Houston, Miami, Portland and Phoenix will join Seattle in this first-ever convening of Workforce Investment Boards like...

WDC honored for leadership in employment for the homeless

On September 7, the WDC of Seattle-King County was honored by Building Changes for our leadership and commitment to homeless jobseekers. The WDC and Building Changes have worked together over the last several years to increase access to job training and improve employment outcomes for people who are homeless.  In spring 2010, the WDC and Building Changes partnered to promote system integration...

WDC’s Greenlight Project highlighted as promising practice

A new report profiles the WDC’s Greenlight Project as a Promising Practice for other Recovery Act grantees around the nation. The Compendium of Promising Practices Profiles describes the WDC’s partnership approach and outcomes to date as one of about 15 projects nationwide chosen through an expert and peer review. (The section on the WDC starts on page 61 of the...

Sen. Murray supports WIA and career pathways in Ballard visit

Senator Patty Murray joined WDC CEO Marlena Sessions on April 26 for a tour and press event at Pacific Fishermen Shipyard in Ballard. Following a tour of Pacific Fishermen—which has been building and repairing boats in Ballard since the 1880s and which is a strong partner of the SoDo Inc. youth program funded by the WDC, as well as the WDC’s Maritime Sector Panel—Marlena emceed a short...