The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (SKWDC)

In 2000, SKWDC was part of a three-area construction skill panel emphasizing the promotion of career paths for potential and incumbent workers. Since then, the SKWDC’s Youth Council identified construction career pathways as a viable and successful route for young people in their area. SKWDC also conducted an extensive, county-wide analysis of the industry, finding continued growth and high wages. Construction is in the top 12 industries showing the highest numbers of job vacancies in King County.

Based on this analysis of the construction sector as well a the current priorities of the WDC Youth Council, the 2005-2006 WDC strategy for the construction sector includes the following:

• Focus construction efforts on the older youth (18-21) population, particularly out-of-school youth.
• Identify and target new employer and apprenticeship partnerships in the construction sector, focusing on developing connections to big public works projects.
• Increase linkages with existing youth programs that provide work experience, training, and internships in the construction sector.

Review the SKWDC construction sector analysis at:
http://www.seakingwdc.org/Templates/be_secini_con.html

Visit the Youth@Work website and read the report at:
http://www.youthatwork.info/

The Safety Training Center
The Safety Training Center is a broad-based coalition of labor, business and public entities are establishing a state-of-the-art Safety Training Center. The Center will be housed at South Seattle Community College, Duwamish Apprenticeship and Education Center, and will the safety needs of construction, transportation and manufacturing.

The Coalition is open to interested parties who would like to participate in developing and using the Safety Training Center. For more information, go to: http://dept.seattlecolleges.com/duwamish/Safety.htm