Tacoma EDB - Workforce Resources

Workforce Resources

Workforce Central - Business Connection – Pierce County

Contact: Dan Grisham 253-254-7670

Workforce Central – Business Connection offers free core services such as employee recruitment and prescreening of applicants. Their other fee based services include computerized job matching and referral of quality applicants, electronic job posting and resume banks, help with recruitment and layoffs, customized training packages to upgrade worker skills, information on wages, occupations, and business trends, and access to tax incentive and help with childcare and transportation. Dan Grisham from The Business Connection is the appropriate starting point if you are interested in leveraging The Business Connection’s programs and capabilities. To learn more, visit their website.

Community & Technical Colleges

Pierce County has 5 excellent community and technical colleges that provide classes, contract training, and other resources to local employers. The colleges are: Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College, Pierce College – Fort Steilacoom, Pierce College – Puyallup, and Tacoma Community College.

Universities

Pierce County has 3 outstanding 4-year institutions that offer both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The universities are: University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, and the University of Puget Sound. In addition, the University of Washington Tacoma campus has the Institute of Technology, which focuses on supporting the educational needs for the high-technology industry here in WA State.

Job Skills Program

Contact: Carol Melby 360-704-4340

The Job Skills Program is training customized to meet employers’ needs. JSP funds are awarded to licensed educational institutions to cover half of the training cost (the other half must be provided by the employer). Funds can be used for customized training, cross-training, basic skills training, continuous improvement, train-the-trainer programs, and new employee services. You can find more information about the Job Skills Program by visiting their website.

Customized Training Program

Contact: Carol Melby 360-704-4340

Under the Customized Training Program, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) pays the costs up front for customized training. After training is completed the business repays the costs to the SBCTC interest free. Upon completion of training 25 percent of the full amount is due, and the remaining 75 percent due is spread over 18 months. After a business makes the initial payment of 25 percent to the SBCTC, they may take a state B&O tax credit equal to half of that amount. As the business pays off the remainder over the 18 month period, the business may continue to take tax credits equal to 50 percent of each repayment amount. Thus, the total tax credit is equal to 50 percent of the cost of the training program. Learn more about this program by visiting their website.