Employment Security receives $13.2 million to help workers get trained, hired in key industries
OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department was awarded $13.2 million in two separate U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) grants to help workers in Washington receive training and secure jobs.
The two USDOL grants are:
A $6.5 million Rapid Reskill Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker grant that assists workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own to transition into employment, registered apprenticeships or paid work-based learning. The grant will fund the project for three years.
A $6.7 million Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grant that will partially reimburse eligible Washington employers for training their workers in nationally significant industries. The grant will support a 45-month project at Employment Security to establish and operate the fund.
“These grants will help people learn new skills and get back to work,” Employment Security Interim Commissioner Martin McMurry said. “This is a welcome opportunity to partner with key employers to train and employ workers in industries critical to our state.”
Reskill grant
The reskill grant will help workers in Washington obtain jobs through employer-connected training in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, construction infrastructure, healthcare, clean technology and other sectors. Through WorkSource, the statewide network serving job seekers and employers, qualified candidates will connect with case managers for individualized planning, supportive services, training coordination and job placement assistance.
Currently, Employment Security’s partners for this grant include Ironworkers Local 14, Machinists Institute, the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee, the Healthcare Training Fund, local workforce development boards and the Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board.
Training fund grant
In partnership with the Washington Workforce Association, Employment Security will start a new statewide, outcome-based training fund to partially reimburse employers for training their workers in shipbuilding, nuclear energy, AI infrastructure, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and other industries.
Participating employers can be reimbursed when an eligible employee completes training and stays with the company for at least six months. Training may include customized instruction, on-the-job training, registered apprenticeships and partnerships through community and technical colleges.
Employment Security and its partners are working with the U.S. Department of Labor during an initial planning phase to develop the program. Employers can expect additional information about eligibility and how to participate after Jan. 1, 2027.
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