Washington state is investing millions in grants to help workers level up through its Job Skills Program and demand for the funding in the most recent cycle was the highest in the program’s 40-year history. 

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges grants match dollar-for-dollar with employers to provide customized, short-term training for employees provided by the state’s community and technical colleges. 

Carolyn McKinnon, workforce education policy associate for the board, said the last funding cycle drew a record 52 applications. 

“Employee turnover is very expensive for any employer. They want to keep and grow their good employees. Those employers are also facing a lot of competition and new regulations and so it's to their benefit to continuously train their workers,” McKinnon explained. 

McKinnon pointed out the board was able to fund 35 of the proposals, amounting to nearly $8 million in matching grants. McKinnon noted companies focused on manufacturing are the most frequent applicants. 

Brittney Maruska, director of business and community education for Skagit Valley College, said they are providing training through the Job Skills Program to a handful of businesses this year. One of them is Goodwinds Composites in Mount Vernon, a family-owned manufacturing company investing in leadership training for the company’s entire workforce. Another is a local animal feed producer focused on enterprise resource planning. 

Maruska stressed the Job Skills Program allows schools to better serve students and partner with businesses. 

“Washington State Community Colleges are uniquely positioned to serve as the bridge between industry and education, and we're constantly working to understand workforce needs and to build partnerships with our employers,” Maruska emphasized. 

Maruska added while the program helps employers, advancing skills positions workers to earn higher wages.