Join our Newsroom Mailing List
Stay in the loop with:
- Program Highlights: Hear about the innovative projects we’re rolling out to support Spokane’s workforce.
- Success Stories: Get inspired by the individuals and businesses making waves in our community.
- Upcoming Events: Never miss out on important expos, workshops, and networking opportunities.
- Press Releases: Read the official news as it happens, directly from the source.
Welcome to The Newsroom brought to you by Spokane Workforce Council — your destination for the latest updates, exciting stories, and behind-the-scenes action! Whether it’s new partnerships, upcoming events, success stories, or important announcements, this is where you’ll find everything that’s happening in the world of workforce development.
Latest News
Celebrating the People Behind the Workforce: Workforce Development Professionals Month
By Kevin Williams, CEO, Spokane Workforce Council September is Workforce Development Professionals Month, a time to celebrate the people who work every day to connect individuals, employers, educators, community organizations and resources to opportunities. As the CEO of the Spokane Workforce Council, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible work happening across our region. And I can say without hesitation: our workforce development professionals are some of the most dedicated, innovative and mission-driven people in our community. They…
Workforce System Response to COVID-19 – August 18 Report
August 18, 2020: The past week saw the continuation of a downward trend in the numbers of people filing for and receiving unemployment benefits. We are also please to announce that the Spokane City Council voted to award us $822,000 in CARES Act funds to repay missed housing payments going back to April 1. This…
Workforce System Response to COVID-19 – August 3 Report
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.
Workforce System Response to COVID-19 – July 27 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…
Workforce System Response to COVID-19 – July 20 Report
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…
Spokane Resource Center announced as 2020 winner of SNAP Value of Community Award
SNAP names Spokane Resource Center 2020 Value of Community Award winner Spokane, WA – SNAP (Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners) has named the Spokane Resource Center (SRC) the recipient of its 2020 Value of Community Award. The Value of Community Award is one of SNAP’s Mission and Values Awards, which SNAP has been administering for 10…
City of Spokane sets aside $500K for rent assistance – Spokane Workforce Council to manage
Spokane, WA – The City of Spokane has announced that $500,000 in funding from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development will be made available to tenants in Spokane who are struggling to make rent payments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spokane Workforce Council was chosen as the nonprofit to oversee the program. Funds…
Workforce System Response to COVID-19 – July 13 Report
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….
Workforce System Response to COVID-19 – July 6 Report
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.
Spokane Workforce Council recipient of 2020 WIOA Trailblazer Award from the National Association of Workforce Boards
Spokane, WA – The Spokane Workforce Council (SWC) has been presented with the 2020 WIOA Trailblazer Award by the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). The WIOA Trailblazer Award recognizes a local workforce development board that has been a leader in adopting the system changes envisioned in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014…