WORKSOURCE PIERCE
The WorkSource Pierce system offers personalized help for job seekers and businesses.
WorkSource Pierce connects people with training programs and jobs to help them succeed at any stage in life. Resources are available to job seekers from all backgrounds, regardless of past work history or educational attainment. Whether new to the job market or ready to seek fresh opportunities, WorkSource Pierce is here to help.
WorkSource Pierce sites come in different varieties, all certified by the Workforce Development Council:
- Full-service job centers: Co-located facilities where comprehensive job seeker (WIOA) services are offered.
- Partner affiliate sites: Spaces where, at a minimum, basic career services are offered.
- Connection satellite sites: Spaces where technology is available for job seekers to access online workforce development system resources.
- Emerging partner affiliate sites: These sites are in a 12-month trial period of partnership in the MOU.
Service Oversight
WorkForce Central oversees the WorkSource Pierce system.
An inter-local agreement between the City of Tacoma and Pierce County provides the foundation for workforce development initiatives across Pierce County. Elected officials from the City of Tacoma and Pierce County, as well as a representative of business, form our governing body, the Executive Board, which works closely with and appoints members to the Pierce County Workforce Development Council.
WorkForce Central carries out the vision of the Executive Board and the Pierce County Workforce Development Council by coordinating, administering and advancing the work of the workforce development system, known as WorkSource Pierce.
WorkSource Service Providers
Services are provided through funding from federal grants.
WorkForce Central’s service providers receive pass-through funds to carry out workforce development services at the WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Center and other community locations. WorkForce Central monitors these subrecipients to ensure grant funds are used for authorized purposes and works closely with service providers to coordinate robust workforce programs that meet the needs of the Pierce County community.
Career Team
Services: Adult, Dislocated Worker, Young Adult, Disaster Recovery, Employment Recovery, and Economic Security for All
ABOUT THIS PROVIDER
Career TEAM provides services to adults in Pierce County who are seeking assistance with obtaining the skills necessary to compete in the local job market. Services are individualized and tailored to each job seeker. Services are offered virtually, at the WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Center, at the Hawk Transition Center located at JBLM, and other community locations throughout Pierce County.
WorkForce Central
Services: Business Solutions
ABOUT THIS PROVIDER
WorkForce Central provides direct services to businesses and employers in Pierce County to help retain their workforce, avoid layoffs, and find new employees. Services are customized to the needs of each business and include job posting, hiring fairs, workshops, candidate searching, candidate screening, layoff aversion, and layoff assistance. Services are provided virtually and at the WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Center.
Palmers Scholars
Services: Young Adult
ABOUT THIS PROVIDER
Palmer Scholars provides culturally responsive wraparound services to underrepresented young adults of color throughout Pierce County who are 18 years and older and have a high school diploma or GED. Palmer Scholars brings resources and expertise to provide streamlined, non-duplicative services while introducing participants to other youth initiatives available to them. Palmer Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship is a state-recognized apprenticeship prep program (Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, LNI) focusing on construction trades pre-apprenticeship and transition to apprenticeship, trades-based employment, and technical college education.
Northwest Education Access
Services: Young Adult
ABOUT THIS PROVIDER
Northwest Education Access provides comprehensive and individualized support to help low-income young people build their own path to higher education and beyond. They partner with local community and technical colleges as well as high school or GED reengagement programs that support opportunity youth. Education Advocates support young adults in creating individualized education plans for their postsecondary goals and support young people long-term in finishing their postsecondary credential by providing a free, welcoming, and non-judgemental approach. Education Advocates can support career and program exploration, admissions processes, financial aid navigation, tutoring, connection to barrier supports, and navigating through academic disruption.
Korean Women’s Association
Services: Young Adult
ABOUT THIS PROVIDER
Korean Women’s Association (KWA) provides culturally responsive employment case-management services for young adults age 16 – 24 who are not attending high school regularly, dropped out of high school, or high school graduates who are English language learners or have skills gaps and not in college or have a job. KWA empowers BIPOC youth to access skills training programs and paid internships in community health, behavioral health, in-home care, early learning, and social services through partnerships with MultiCultural Child Family & Hope Center and Answers Counseling. KWA also provides comprehensive assistance for young adult participants who face health, behavioral health, housing, food, child care, or other barriers. KWA and partners can provide bilingual assistance in Spanish, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Korean, and Russian.
One-Stop Operator
The One-Stop Operator provides oversight and functional leadership at the WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Center.
Career Team
Career TEAM serves as the WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Operator (OSO). The OSO works collaboratively with WorkForce Central and One-Stop Center partners to create a harmonious and productive space where excellent customer experience is the focus and center of all activity. They provide operational oversight and functional leadership with a commitment to equity and access, partnership orientation, diplomacy, unbiased approach with all stakeholders, and knowledge of local needs and resources.
