Join the "workforceNERD." Movement!
Technical assistance by the SWC and “workforceNERD.” gives us the opportunity to strengthen the national workforce system and enhance professional development for workforce boards and our workforce system partners and staff nationwide. Many of our programs and strategies are nationally recognized as cutting edge in the workforce industry, and we have had significant interest from local workforce development boards and program operators to host tours, consult via conference calls, provide technical assistance, and share materials. We assist boards when they are in need of new ideas or feel stuck in a box of federal policy and guidelines. We offer a range of services to help re-imagine local workforce systems and service models.
Did you attend our presentation at the 2024 NAWB Forum
Let's NERD Out, Together!
"workforceNERD." Adacemy Topics & Training Session Topics
Customer-Centered Program Design
Integrated Service Delivery for the comprehensive one-stop center
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Policy
Fiscal Management
Business Engagement Strategies
Braiding and blending funding to serve more customers
Leveraging Community Partnerships
One-Stop Operator and Operations
Trauma-Informed Program Design for Youth Services
Integrating WIOA Youth Program Elements in Your Out-of-School-Youth Program
Branding Your Youth Program
Recruitment and Retention Strategies for Your Youth Program
Integrating Dropout Re-Engagement into Your WIOA Youth Program
Braiding and blending funding to serve more customers
Comprehensive Staff Professional Development that Yields Results
General Consultation & Design Overview
NO COST
60-minute conference call or virtual video appointment with your team
Informational materials and program one-pagers
All packages are customized and include informational materials and templates to get you started
The "workforceNERD." History, & Movement
“workforceNERD.” began as a term for graduates of Spokane Workforce Council’s Technical Assistance programs who joined the revolution of adapting the human-centered design model for their own regions and systems.
It all started with a simple question – how do we meet the unique needs of our customers through one universal model?
Through a robust process, our integrated service delivery was born through insights and feedback provided by actual customers. With the concept of customer centricity and using less industry jargon, the SWC and its WorkSource Spokane Campus staff began delivering a unique experience to people looking for employment opportunities and businesses searching for their next great hire. Customers felt less like a stat on a chart and more like a person that can bring value to the workplace.
The integrated service delivery model/human-centered design caught national attention when the SWC was awarded the 2020 WIOA Trailblazer Award by the National Association of Workforce Boards. The prestigious award led the SWC to frequently provide short-term training sessions with other workforce development boards within Washington state. Shortly after, other states began reaching out requested to have their systems trained to delivery the same high-quality service to their customers. This is when the SWC’s technical assistance division came to life.
Mariann Johnson from San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board discusses the victories her American Job & Career Center and youth development one-stop center have achieved after successfully completing SWC’s Technical Assistance training. #workforceNERD
"I thought the Capstone (project) was quite unique. I have been at JS for 7.5 years now and we have never done anything like this before. There are so many people with such great ideas. It was nice to be able to present those ideas and really great to have the higher-up management take a serious look at them."
Montana Department of Labor and Industries
"The Career Coaching approach differs from my previous case management training, and through the training you provided I am continuing to switch my thought process to provide a more empowered service that is customer-centered."
Workforce Alliance, Wichita, Kansas
"(The technical assistance by SWC) allowed me to think about the bigger picture and taking into account the people I serve. It was lively, fun and applicable. The homework was the best part!"
San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board
NAWB: The Forum Presentations & Downloadable Content
The Spokane Workforce Council is pleased to share the staff presentations delivered at The Forum national workforce development conference. Click on each tab presentation title to find downloadable content and resources.
