September 8, 2020: It is September, and school is starting again for many students across our community. We are encouraging unemployed workers to use this time right now to explore the many programs we have available so they can increase their skills, learn new ones, and earn credentials to prepare for their next career opportunity.…

August 24, 2020: This week, in addition to economic and labor market data, we are introducing a new tool to track COVID-related investments in our community. The SWC is partnering with our local governments to help with providing housing payment assistance during this economic downturn. We have been awarded over $1.5M, and our staff and…

August 3, 2020: Our economic recovery is proving to be slower than we had hoped, and uneven – but our workforce system is here to help connect people to jobs and skills development to start a new career. Click here to read this week’s full report. 

July 27, 2020: This past Saturday marked the end of the additional $600 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits available to laid off workers. This assistance, funded by the CARES Act, has helped supplement the incomes of everyone receiving unemployment benefit since the crisis began in early March. Congress is currently debating whether or…

July 20, 2020: The Spokane Workforce Council has been awarded $626,743 as part of a U.S. Department of Labor grant to serve businesses and workers affected by the COVID crisis. These funds will be used to support workers at businesses providing humanitarian aid and to help train people to acquire in-demand skills so they can…

July 13, 2020: The labor market in Spokane County appears to be hitting a plateau. Although it is a positive trend that unemployment claims have lowered and stabilized, they remain at a troubling high. Our system continues to innovate how we can serve our community as the crisis transitions from a sprint to a marathon.…

July 6, 2020: This week we analyze the newly released ALICE data for Spokane County from United Way, and we celebrate the 2020 WIOA Trailblazer Award. Click here to read this week’s full report. 

June 3, 2020: Overall, the regional labor market is showing some signs of moving in a positive direction. As the data in the report indicate, fewer people are applying for unemployment benefits and an increased number are returning to work. That’s the good news. However, record numbers of businesses and workers are still being negatively…