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Workforce

Our growing workforce is bolstered by excellent universities and training programs.

Commuters

Where People Work

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A female logistics employee in Tacoma
Military ship in waters off of Tacoma
  • Education
  • Workforce Training & Grants
  • Military Bases
Education
A group of students sit on stairs in Tacoma
Education

A Talent Pipeline Fueled by World-Class Education

Looking to fill open jobs in Tacoma-Pierce County? You won’t have to look far. Nine regional colleges and universities, along with 12 technical schools, produce thousands of career-ready graduates each year. The highly ranked University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, Pierce College, Tacoma Community College, Clover Park Technical College and Bates Technical College are among the many institutions of higher learning that prepare the workforce in Tacoma for established and emerging industries. For more information, visit our Universities page.

Workforce Training & Grants
A female logistics employee in Tacoma
Workforce Training & Grants

Prepare and Upskill Your Workforce in Tacoma

Tacoma-Pierce County provides all the tools you need to find and cultivate fresh talent for your business. Statewide workforce programs like WorkForce Central and Washington’s Job Skills Program help meet employers’ needs in recruiting and training employees. In addition, the Customized Training Program run by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) pays the costs up front for customized training. Washington’s Worker Retraining Funding (WRT) program also provides funding for training or retraining of eligible workers, assisting them on their journey to re-employment. On a local level, the Local Employment and Apprenticeship Training Program (LEAP) enables City of Tacoma residents to access apprenticeship programs through partnerships with local workforce development providers.

Military Bases
Military ship in waters off of Tacoma
Military Bases

A Sound Base of Military-Trained Talent

The South Puget Sound hosts two major military installations, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Naval Base Kitsap, as well as the state headquarters of the Washington National Guard at Camp Murray. These institutions generate a steady stream of veterans, transitioning soldiers and families who bring significant contributions and talent to the region’s workforce. To aid the transition into civilian careers, the Service Member for Life Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP) offers job fairs, quarterly networking gatherings, employer spotlight events, weekly brown bag information sessions, job posting services and more.

Contact

Contact our experienced staff for more information about Pierce County’s talented workforce.

Maddie Merton Vice President, Business Retention and Expansion [email protected] (253) 284-5891 Get In Touch

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