Workforce Development

Our team focuses on growing the skills of our current and future workforce to be part of region's world-class talent pool.  We are working to build career pathways to economic mobility by closing skills gaps in targeted growth industries.  With our education and employer partners, we are aligning education and training programs with industry needs to give jobseekers targeted in-demand skills while also helping businesses access the talent they need to grow.  Career pathways align education and training programs with industry needs to help individuals develop the skills they need to get in-demand jobs and advance in their careers, while helping employers access the skilled workers they need to compete.         

OED also represented the Mayor of Seattle, who along with the King County Executive, are the chief local elected officials (CLEOs) for federal Workforce Investment Opportunity Act grants that funds employment and training services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth.  The CLEOs appoint a local workforce board and together, the CLEOs oversee the administration of workforce development services and provides strategic direction for workforce development programs.