This page provides examples of job training programs for local governments in Washington State, including internships, apprenticeship requirements for public works projects, and youth employment programs.
Overview
The need to provide improved job training and to create high-wage or family-wage jobs is reflected in local government economic development plans. Local governments are seeking to provide cooperative educational opportunities responsive to the changing needs of the workplace, both locally and regionally.
In its comprehensive work plan, High Skills, High Wages, the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board states that Washington's traditional sources of high-wage, low-skilled work (forests and factories) have limited growth prospects. Slow or stagnating productivity can cause stagnant incomes. For there to be an increase in productivity, there needs to be both an increase in the use of technology and a promotion of the spread of high performance work organizations that require high-skilled workers. If employers cannot find trained workers in Washington, they will look to other states for workers and places to locate their business facilities.
Workforce Development
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) consolidates, coordinates, and improves employment, training, literacy, and vocational rehabilitation programs in the United States. This section provides links to the U.S. Department of Labor and Washington state regarding implementation of the act.
Local Government Programs
- Cheney Fire Department Resident Program - Program is designed for students (college) with an interest in the fire service, medical profession and/or helping others.
- Lakewood Legal Department Internship Opportunities
- Longview Fire Department Intern Program - Provided for individuals attending college who wish to gain work experience in the fire service
- King County
- Port Angeles Police Department College Intern Program
- Port of Seattle Port JOBS Program - Includes job training programs
- Seattle
- Snohomish County Blueprint - A blueprint for education, workforce and economic development in Snohomish County
- Spokane Policies and Procedures Internship Program, Administrative Human Resources Policy, ADMIN 0620-05-46, revised 09/27/2005
- Vancouver Internship Opportunities
Apprenticeship Requirements for Public Works
Apprentice programs allow entry-level workers to gain experience in a highly skilled occupation through a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction. For more detailed information, see Department of Labor & Industries: Apprenticeship.
Some local governments have chosen to include specific apprenticeship requirements for public works contracts over a certain size, although this is not required by state law. (The requirements of RCW 39.04.320 only apply to school districts, four-year institutions of higher education, and certain state agencies.) Below are some examples.
- Burien Municipal Code Ch. 2.80 - At least 15% of labor hours must be performed by apprentices for public work projects over $1 million. Includes schedule of fines for every unmet hour.
- Edmonds Municipal Code Sec. 18.00.050 - City may require 15% of labor hours to be performed by apprentices for public works contracts of $300,000 or more. Failure to meet requirements is considered a breach of contract and may affect contractor’s qualification for future contracts.
- Hoquiam Municipal Code Ch. 1.59 - At least 10% of labor hours must be performed by apprentices for public works in which the cost of labor, excluding materials, is estimated at $100,000 or more.
- King County Apprenticeship Program - Establishes apprenticeship requirements on selected public works projects, including voluntary goals that 20% of all apprenticeship labor hours go to minorities and 18% to women.
- Port Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 3.80 – At least 15% of labor hours must be performed by apprentices for public works over $1 million.
- Tacoma Local Employment and Apprenticeship Training Program (LEAP) – At least 15% of labor hours must be performed by apprentices for civil projects over $250,000; building projects over $750,000; and service contracts relating to a public work or improvement that use labor at a city site. See LEAP Forms for required documentation.
- Vancouver Apprenticeship Program – Minimum apprenticeship requirements depend on project size, from 3% to 8% of labor hours, with contractors encouraged to exceed these minimums.
Veterans Programs
For information on military leave, see MRSC's page Military Leave
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Reintegrating Our Veterans, ICMA Leadership Matters (E-Newsletter), June 4, 2013
- Veterans Conservation Corps - The primary mission of the Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC) is to assist veterans by providing volunteer opportunities on natural resources restoration projects that help protect and restore Washington's watersheds (rivers, streams, lakes, marine waters, forests, and open lands). See right column of home page for partnerships which include local government projects.
- Veterans Employment Toolkit, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- WorkSource Veterans Services, Washington State Employment Security
Youth Employment Programs
State and Federal Programs
- Services for Job Seekers Youth Services, Washington State Employment Security WorkSource
- Multiple Pathways for Initial Careers, Washington Workforce Training and Education Board - Washington's Workforce Development Strategy for Youth
- Ecology Youth Corps, Washington State Department of Ecology
- Youth Services, U.S. Department of Labor
- Youth Workforce Connections, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Focuses on practitioners in the youth employment field's ability to discuss and share promising practices and technical assistance, and to network; site is hosted by the Division of Youth Services
Local Programs
Other Training Resources