Winners of Economic Development and Workforce Best Practices awards announced

Lynnwood, WA – September 4, 2008- (RealEstateRama) — Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the winners of the 2008 Economic Development and Workforce Best Practices awards. Five projects were recognized as models of success in workforce and economic development at the Governor’s Economic and Workforce Development Conference.

“These five exceptional partnerships between public and private interests benefit state and local workforces and economies,” Gregoire said. “Each partnership is helping our state build a globally competitive economy, and a better future for working families.”

Gregoire also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Bob Drewel, executive director of the Puget Sound Regional Council.

“Throughout his career, Bob has tirelessly and effectively advocated for family-wage industries and family-wage jobs in our state. And he’s done it on both sides of the mountains,” Gregoire said. “This award pays tribute to Bob’s leadership in promoting regional solutions to challenges facing the Northwest.”

The Economic Development Awards recognize leadership and exemplary accomplishment in a program, project or initiative in economic development. Winners are:

• Mint Farm Development Project (Longview) The Longview City Council and Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Development Company entered into a joint venture to finance and develop 300 acres of land for the Mint Farm Industrial Park. The project encouraged the private sector to invest in the local economy, and the region continues to attract new businesses. It created more than 600 family-wage jobs, increased tax revenues, and diversified the Longview area’s economy.
• Integration of Local Workforce and Economic Development (Southwest Washington) Southwest Washington Workforce Development, Columbia River Economic Development Council, and Cowlitz Economic Development Council restructured to share staff. The leaders of these organizations put territories aside in the interest of their overriding goal, which is to match the needs of employers with the skills of the workforce. They provide avenues for youth and adults to prepare for careers and become more self-sufficient while providing Southwest Washington industries with a skilled workforce.

“These winners represent the type of innovation taking place all across our state which is creating jobs, developing a skilled workforce and helping us achieve the economic vitality goals established in Gregoire’s Next Washington plan for the state,” said Juli Wilkerson, director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.

The Workforce Best Practices Awards recognize leadership and exemplary accomplishment in a project, program or initiative in the workforce development system. Winners are:

• YouthCare’s Occupational Skills Center (Seattle/King County) YouthCare, a community-based non-profit providing services to homeless youth in six sites in the greater Seattle area, formed a public/private partnership — the Occupational Skills Center — to increase education and employment opportunities for homeless and disconnected youth. The Center provides high school completion, college preparation, and a range of occupational skills training and internships for homeless and at-risk youth. It is the only occupational skills and education program targeting youth in the Seattle/King County area.
• Integrated English as a Second Language and Apprenticeship Program (Pierce County) United Union of Roofers, Local 153, Clover Park Technical College and Pierce College pooled their resources and expertise to help Spanish-speaking apprentices overcome language barriers to completing the roofer apprenticeship program. The collaboration created an instructional program that integrated technical and language skills, making them more relevant and easier to learn. At one time, most non-English speaking apprentices did not complete roofing apprenticeship training. Today, with a retention rate of 100 percent, this program is a model for similar programs around the state.
• Healthcare Collaboration and Online Learning (Whatcom County and Yakima Valley) This partnership of education and industry has made it possible to train physical therapist assistants (PTA) in an area of the state that needed the skills but didn’t have the educational program. Whatcom Community College developed an online version of its PTA program and partnered with Yakima Valley Community College and area clinics to provide area students the training access and the practical experience necessary to succeed in this profession.

“These winners, as well as the two dozen other nominated programs, demonstrated what amazing things we can do when we work together, share resources and align our workforce and economic development efforts,” said David Harrison, chair of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

The Governor’s Economic and Workforce Development Conference is organized by CTED and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. CTED is the lead state agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality in Washington. The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board is a partnership of labor, business and government, dedicated to helping Washington state residents obtain and succeed in family-wage jobs, while meeting employers’ needs for skilled workers.