Press Release
December 2000
Future-Ready Workforce Project
In a continuing effort to target and assist dislocated, incumbent and new
entrant workers in the information technology (IT) and manufacturing
sectors, The Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology
announces the receipt of a $927,000 demonstration grant from the U.S.
Department of Labor to train over 150 people over the next 18 months
in South Snohomish and North King Counties. Included in the project is
more than $500,000 in training resources available to individuals and
small to midsize companies.
Project Manager, John Lederer will work
with both the King and Snohomish County Workforce Development Councils,
the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, the WorkSource Career
Centers and community and technical colleges in North King and South
Snohomish Counties to broker the training.
Project Objectives:
- Increase IT and manufacturing
incumbent worker access to training and education services through employer
on-site training, distance learning, and classroom training.
- Identify technology uses (i.e. distance learning and other learning
models) to customize and expand training options and meet the needs of
small and medium sized businesses.
- Increase the skill levels and qualifications of incumbent workers
and job seekers through promotion of skill standards, certification systems,
awarding credits for skills gained and lifelong learning achievement.
- Increase employer involvement in incumbent worker training by
forming industry networks for sharing information, and learning consortia
for identifying common training needs.
- Increase the number of dislocated workers retraining in high-tech industries.
The Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology is a private,
non-profit training entity that is a collaboration of Edmonds and Shoreline
Community Colleges.