Technical assistance
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.
Let's NERD Out, Together!
If you are interested in more in-depth learning, our “workforceNERD.” team will guide you through customized training sessions for your workforce development board.
"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
- Comprehensive staff professional development that yields results
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training
General Consultation & Design Overview
-
A 60-minute conference call or virtual video appointment with your team
-
And informational materials and program one-pagers
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.
After the first few workforce development boards were provided with technical assistance by the SWC, the workforceNERD. brand made its debut and the demand for apparel increased. Today, we’re pleased to propose a business partnership to distribute workforceNERD. products to the world of workforce development.
Our Customers Love It... and So Will You
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
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.
Presented in 2023 by:
Dawn Karber, Chief Operations Officer
Kevin Williams, Division Executive of Systems Advancement
Victor Rapez-Betty, Communications Manager
Downloadable Content:
>> NAWB The Forum 2023 Presentation file
Resources:
>> Website: Fox 28 Spokane & SWC’s Workforce Wednesday Segments
>> Website: Career Explore NW
>> YouTube Playlist: workforceNERD. thePODCAST.
Presented in 2022 by:
Dawn Karber, Chief Operations Officer
Kevin Williams, Vice President of Systems Advancement
Downloadable Content:
>> NAWB 2022 Presentation file
>> GROW Model Worksheet file
Resources:
>> WorkSource Spokane website
>> Career Quest virtual platform
>> Next Generation Zone website
>> Spokane Internship Guide website
>> Career Explorer Northwest website
Presented in 2021 by:
Jessica Clayton, Program & Development Director;
Victor Rapez-Betty, Communications Manager
>> Downloadable Materials: Marketing Ambassador Internship Program toolkit, download here
>> YouTube Video: Business Partnerships with Intern, watch here
Description: Stacia Taylor, Chief Human Resources Officer at Providence Health and NAWB board member, discusses the impact the marketing ambassador program has had on assisting with recruiting for health care roles in Spokane, WA.
>> YouTube Video: Ambassador Experiences & Testimonials, watch here
Description: Former marketing ambassadors reflect on their experiences and share what they’ve been up to since successfully completing their internships at the Next Generation Zone.