What We Do
Who We Are
The Workforce Development Council (WDC) of Seattle-King County is a nonprofit organization driving regional strategies to create a more equitable, inclusive, and resilient workforce system. We bring together public, private, and community partners to remove barriers, align resources, and support economic opportunity for all—especially those furthest from it.
We serve as the local workforce development board under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and we operate as a regional backbone organization: convening stakeholders, shaping policy, and investing in solutions that reflect community needs and priorities.
Why We Exist
The workforce system in our region hasn’t worked for everyone. Racial and economic inequities—rooted in occupational segregation, systemic barriers, and fragmented services—have made it harder for many to access meaningful work and economic security.
We’re here to change that.
How We Make an Impact
We believe that when we center racial equity and job quality, we build a foundation for economic mobility—for workers, employers, and communities. As a backbone organization, WDC strengthens the regional workforce ecosystem by:
Empowering Workers: Removing barriers and expanding access to quality jobs, training, and support.
Connecting Businesses: Partnering with employers to improve job quality and build inclusive workplaces.
Transforming Systems: Aligning policies and programs to dismantle structural inequities.
Co-Investing for Impact: Leveraging public and private resources to scale community-driven innovations.
Our Transformation
Since 2017, the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) has undergone a bold transformation—from a compliance-focused agency to a regional systems leader advancing equity and innovation in workforce development.
Guided by community voices and a strategic vision centered on racial equity and job quality, WDC has launched pioneering initiatives like Guaranteed Basic Income, digital equity programs, and new funding models that uplift underrepresented partners.
Today, we serve as a backbone organization helping to shape a more inclusive, responsive workforce system—one that works better for everyone, starting with those furthest from opportunity.
Photos from the 2018 Community Design Session, where over 40 stakeholders came together to reimagine a more equitable, inclusive, and responsive regional workforce system.
Our Governance
WDC is governed by a cross-sector board of directors, appointed by the Chief Local Elected Officials (CLEOs)—the King County Executive and the Mayor of Seattle. Our work is guided by local priorities, informed by community voices, and aligned with both state oversight (through the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board and Employment Security Department) and federal WIOA requirements.
Local Plan 2024-2028
Regional Strategic Plan
Funding & Investment Details
Annual Report 2022-2023
Board
Our board is composed of leaders from business, labor, youth and adult education, state and local government agencies, and community-based organizations.
Funders
Our funders’ commitment and contributions make it possible for us to pursue our mission and make a positive impact in our community.
Partners
Our partners are a diverse group with programmatic expertise in workforce development and deep connections with the communities they serve.
Staff
Our staff are a dedicated team committed to serving the mission of the organization and elevating and supporting the work of our partners.