OLYMPIA, Wash., August 14, 2022 — On August 3, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that Washington state was awarded a $23.5 million Good Jobs Challenge grant to support the State’s robust career connected training system serving thousands of students across the state. These apprenticeship and technical training programs are a significant part of the state’s efforts to connect students to work-based learning programs that lead to paid work experience and good-paying jobs.
The Good Jobs Challenge is part of a suite of American Rescue Plan programs developed by EDA to equitably distribute its $3 billion allocation to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build a better America by accelerating economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building moreresilient, shockproof local economies.
“Career-connected pathways are hugely popular, inclusive of communities underrepresented in the traditional talent pool, and are one of the most effective methods for responding to today’s workforce needs, especially in the continuous wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Across every sector of the state’s economy, employers need to find talent, particularly in high demand fields, and the Good Jobs Challenge grant will noticeably strengthen our ongoing efforts through Career Connect,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “This will support our progress on inclusivity and equity in the workforce, giving Washingtonians from underrepresented communities a pathway to thousands of great jobs, putting those furthest from opportunity into good jobs and helping Washington’s economy continue its strong recovery.”
“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, the economy is no longer on the mend – it is on the move,” said Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02). “This critical investment will connect talented Washingtonians to well-paying jobs in in-demand sectors like advanced manufacturing and aerospace, clean technology and cybersecurity, fostering long-term economic growth in the Pacific Northwest and boosting the region’s global competitiveness.”
The state’s Washington Student Achievement Council, in collaboration with Career Connect Washington, was among 32 grant recipients selected from a pool of 509 applicants. The Good Jobs Challenge grant will help CCW and its partners immediately serve 5,000 workers whose jobs were impacted by COVID-19 and fill a minimum …