Forging Career Pathways for Untapped Talent in Seattle-King County
New Unleashing the Power of Untapped Talent Program Launches
Seattle, Wash.- A creative new pilot has launched out of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County this fall—connecting adults and youth to career pathways. Partnerships throughout the local area make this project powerful, with three nonprofit service providers on the adult side—the Asian Counseling Referral Service, Pioneer Human Services, and the YWCA; as well as and three on the youth side—YouthCare, El Centro de la Raza, and IKRON. The Workforce Development Council looks to achieve best practices to sustain this work. The lessons learned during the demonstration period will become the foundation for future work to lead a system change in serving youth and adults who deal with employment barriers, as well as inform how best to help transition individuals to self-sustainability.
The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County was awarded the 2016 “Trailblazer Award” from the National Association of Workforce Boards because of innovative approaches to addressing local employer and jobseeker needs. The Unleashing the Power of Untapped Talent initiative is one such trailblazing program. Braiding and blending federal, state and private funds, the project gives adults and youth opportunities to connect to not just a job, but a career pathway toward self-sufficiency for themselves and their families. The program strategically addresses employer needs so participants are made ready for industry while providing integrated, wrap-around services so participants don’t just get the training and job readiness they need but are supported in the process.
Media Contact
Hannah Mello, Communications Program Manager
Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County
hmello@seakingwdc.org | (206) 448-0474