Our Mission

We bridge the gap between job seekers, employers, and community organizations.

Our mission is to steward the Pierce County Workforce Development System. We bridge the gap between job seekers, employers, and community organizations to build a robust workforce and ensure economic vitality across the region.

Click here to read our latest strategic plan.

Our Role

Job Seeker Solutions

Workers

Job Seekers

Explore, Train

Business Solutions

Businesses

Employ, Retain

Regional Alignment

Public

Private

Non-Profit

Engage, Align

Individuals complete paid work experience

Individuals and businesses receive customized workforce support

Agencies align to increase accessibility to workforce services

Individuals complete workforce education and training

Businesses are connected to skilled workforce

Individuals are connected to and retained in quality jobs

Reduce the gap between labor demand and available skills.

Increase the percent of youth and adults connected to education, training, and quality jobs.

CHAMPION

At WorkForce Central, we champion a comprehensive approach to workforce development as a vital component to a strong economy. We catalyze collaboration and coordination among workforce development stakeholders and work in conjunction with our partners to actively pursue investments in workforce development.

construction in Tacoma

EVALUATE

WorkForce Central evaluates regional workforce needs by gathering and analyzing data. By sharing this data, we foster informed, data-driven decisions among leaders who work to address deficiencies and seize opportunities to strengthen the regional economy.

CONVENE

At WorkForce Central, we convene business, education, labor, government, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations and the broader community to implement and support innovative strategies that address workforce development needs and gaps. We help our partners to adopt proven and promising workforce development practices.

Tacoma construction

STEWARD

WorkForce Central stewards public dollars to promote the effectiveness of the workforce development network. This is just one way that we fulfill the vision of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

OUR STRATEGY

CHAMPION

At WorkForce Central, we champion a comprehensive approach to workforce development as a vital component to a strong economy. We catalyze collaboration and coordination among workforce development stakeholders and work in conjunction with our partners to actively pursue investments in workforce development.

EVALUATE

WorkForce Central evaluates regional workforce needs by gathering and analyzing data. By sharing this data, we foster informed, data-driven decisions among leaders who work to address deficiencies and seize opportunities to strengthen the regional economy.

CONVENE

At WorkForce Central, we convene business, education, labor, government, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations and the broader community to implement and support innovative strategies that address workforce development needs and gaps. We help our partners to adopt proven and promising workforce development practices.

STEWARD

WorkForce Central stewards public dollars to promote the effectiveness of the workforce development network. This is just one way that we fulfill the vision of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is WorkForce Central?

Think of us as air traffic controllers – WorkForce Central leads, coordinates and implements workforce development solutions in order to successfully match job seekers to jobs and employers to talent. The end goal: economic vitality for all.

WorkForce Central was formed in 1982 by an interlocal agreement between the city of Tacoma and Pierce County, whom we fondly call our parents. While we go by WorkForce Central, our legal name is the Tacoma Pierce County Employment and Training Consortium.

We work on behalf of two important groups: the Pierce County Workforce Development Council (WDC) and the Executive Board. The Executive Board is made up of the County Executive, the Mayor of Tacoma, one council member each from the county and the city, and the chair of the WDC.

The Executive Board appoints people to serve on the WDC, a business-led and business-majority group that works hand-in-hand with the Executive Board to strategically align the skills of the workforce with the demands of the labor market.

What’s the difference between WorkSource and WorkForce Central?

Great question. WorkSource is a partnership of state and local government agencies, educational institutions and non-profit organizations that offer employment services for job seekers and businesses.  Essentially, WorkSource is the brand name for the employment service-delivery system in Washington state.

WorkSource Pierce, then, is the brand name for this service-delivery system in Pierce County. That’s where WorkForce Central comes in. Doing business on behalf of the Pierce County Workforce Development Council (WDC), WorkForce Central carries out the vision of the WDC and our Executive Board (we’ll get to that in a minute) to lead, coordinate and implement workforce development solutions within Pierce County – that is, we lead and coordinate the work of WorkSource Pierce.

WorkSource Pierce sites must be certified by the Pierce County Workforce Development Council to ensure quality and high standards. Click here to learn more about the certification process.

So does WorkForce Central provide these employment services itself?

We used to, but current legislation directs us to instead procure and contract some of those services through a competitive process. In 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was put in place, and it dictated that local workforce boards like WorkForce Central – on behalf of the WDC – should instead serve as strategic, coordinating bodies, rather than direct service providers. If, like us, you enjoy reading hundreds of pages of federal legislation, you can find WIOA in all of its glory by clicking this link.

So which services do your third-party sub-awardees provide?

Another great question. Youth and Young Adult workforce development services in Pierce County are provided by Equus Workforce Solutions, Palmer Scholars, the Korean Women’s Association and Northwest Education Access. To learn more about our Young Adult service providers click here.

Meanwhile, the WFC Executive Board and WDC awarded Career TEAM our contract to provide comprehensive workforce development services to Adults and Dislocated Workers. You can learn more about Career TEAM by clicking this link.

WorkForce Central serves as the manager of these contracts, and works to ensure the aforementioned programs and services are provided in compliance with all applicable laws.

Got it. So do these service providers work out of your office, or their own office?

Both Equus and Career TEAM – along with staff members from the Employment Security Department (ESD) and other partners – are located at the WorkSource Pierce Job Center, which serves as the “One Stop” full-service job center in the Pierce County workforce development area.

“One Stop?” What does that mean?

OK, so there are three different kinds of WorkSource Pierce sites: full-service, affiliate, and connection. Full-service sites are known as “One-Stop Centers,” meaning that comprehensive employment and training (WIOA) services are available at that facility. Affiliate sites offer basic career services, and Connection sites are spaces where technology is available for job seekers to access workforce development system resources online.

Each workforce development area – ours is Pierce County – is required by law to have at least one One-Stop Center.

So where is the One-Stop Full Service site located?

The WorkSource Pierce Job Center is located at 2121 S. State St. in Tacoma, WA 98405 on the third floor. It is currently open Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

What are the comprehensive services available there?

WIOA requires that each One-Stop Center provide access to physical services of six core programs – WIOA Title 1 (services for Adult, Dislocated Workers and Youth); the Adult Education and Literacy Act programs administered by the Department of Education (DoED); Wagner-Peyser Act services administered by the Department of Labor; and Rehabilitation Act Title 1 programs administered by the DoED.

Each local workforce development board may also include additional partners at One Stop Centers.

I’m unemployed and unsure about how to get back into the job market. Where should I go?

The WorkSource Pierce Job Center, or any of our WorkSource affiliate or connection sites. Click here for a full listing of locations.

I’ve been laid off from my job and I need training to seek employment in a different industry. Where should I go?

The WorkSource Pierce Job Center, or any of our WorkSource affiliate or connection sites. Click here for a full listing of locations.

I’m a business owner. I’m hiring and need to get the word out. Where should I go?

Our Business Solutions team has you covered. Click here for contact information, and to find out what our team can do for you.

How many other WorkSource sites are there in Pierce County?

We have one comprehensive center (the One Stop), two affiliate sites (at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Goodwill in Tacoma) and 18 satellite connection sites (located at each branch of the Pierce County Library System, except for Anderson Island). Click here for a full listing of locations.

These WorkSource sites are spread across the county so our services can be accessed by residents who live in more rural areas that lack good public transportation.

When do the Executive Board and the WDC meet?

The WDC holds meetings on the third Thursday of every month, and the Executive Board holds meetings on the third Wednesday. These are public meetings. To view past appointments, agenda packets, and meeting minutes, click here.

So who’s in charge? The Executive Board, or the WDC?

Both. The Executive Board maintains fiduciary responsibility and is responsible for high-level, strategic decision-making. The WDC’s role is more tactical and day-to-day. The two bodies work together to implement WIOA and approve and assign funding.

 

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