This week (August 15-19) is the National Workforce Week of Action (WWoA), sponsored by the National Skills Coalition.  WWoA has been launched because, in the current budget-cutting atmosphere gripping Washington, DC, vital federal employment and job training funds are at risk.  These federal programs send tens of millions of dollars to Washington State every year, funds that help thousands of your fellow Evergreen State residents acquire the skills they need to find a job in today's economy and, provide work as trainers to many of your colleagues in the Puget Sound region.


Every day this week I will attempt to provide you with at least one key fact about our nation's workforce that federal workforce development programs are or should be addressing to make a difference in our region and state and in people's lives.



I hope this will raise your awareness about these programs. And once aware,  you will consider contacting the offices of our U.S. Senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and your local House of Representatives member to express your views on the role these funds can and should play in the midst of high, persistent unemployment.  



Here is the first fact to consider. Two-thirds of people who will be in the workforce in the year 2020 were already working adults in 2005undefinedlong past the traditional high school-to-college pipeline. For that reason, investment in training and education must not just be for young people, but also for adults who are working or could be working today.
 


Please do not hesitate to contact me at governmentaffairs@astdps.org if you have questions or comments about WWoA.