Pierce County’s workforce system is here to help you build skills, find a job, or grow your business—through a community-wide network working together to support your success.
What is a Workforce Development System?
A workforce development system is a coordinated network of programs, organizations, and services that help people build the skills they need to enter and thrive in the labor market. These systems also support businesses by connecting them with trained, job-ready candidates and offering assistance with recruitment, training, and retention.
Across the United States, public workforce systems operate under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), a federal law that promotes collaboration between education, employment, and economic development sectors to support both job seekers and employers.
Governing the Work
An inter-local agreement between the City of Tacoma and Pierce County provides the foundation for workforce development initiatives across Pierce County. This system is locally governed by two key bodies: the Executive Board and the Workforce Development Board.
The work defined by these two entities is then carried out by WorkForce Central, which coordinates funding, strategy, and services to meet the workforce needs of the community.
Executive Board
Composed of elected officials from the City of Tacoma and Pierce County, plus the Workforce Development Council chair, to act as a business representative
Workforce Development Board (WDB)
A diverse group of leaders appointed by the Executive Board to represent industry, education, labor, and community interests.
WorkForce Central: System Coordinator & Convener
WorkForce Central is the administrative and strategic leader of Pierce County’s workforce system. WorkForce Central carries out the vision of the local Executive Board and Workforce Development Council.
WorkForce Central plays a behind-the-scenes but critical role in ensuring that all parts of the workforce system work together smoothly and effectively.
WorkForce Central
WorkForce Central plays a behind-the-scenes but critical role in ensuring that all parts of the workforce system work together smoothly and effectively.
WorkSource Pierce: A Collaborative System for Connecting People to Services
If you’re a job seeker, student, career changer, or unemployed individual, WorkSource is the place to connect to workforce services.
The WorkSource Pierce system is not a single location or entity. It’s a network of partners providing services through certified One-Stop Centers, Affiliate Sites, and Connection Sites, each offering varying levels of access to technology, staff assistance, and workforce services and programs.
The WorkSource Pierce system also has a variety of services that cater to businesses including employee development, recruitment assistance, and layoff assistance and prevention.
WorkSource Pierce
WorkSource Pierce is a customer-facing network of partners within the Pierce County workforce development system
WorkForce Central contracts with local organizations to deliver services through WorkSource Pierce. These providers are funded by federal grants and held to performance standards that ensure quality outcomes for the community.
Current service providers include:
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.
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.
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.
To inquire about certifying your organization as a WorkSource location, please connect with us through our contact form.
Operational Leadership: The One-Stop Operator
The One-Stop Operator (OSO) ensures effective coordination and customer service at the main WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Center. The OSO maintains a productive, inclusive, and welcoming environment by aligning partners and upholding high service standards.
Career TEAM currently serves as the OSO, working in partnership with WorkForce Central and all co-located partners.
For questions about the One-Stop Center:
Sandra Calvillo
Workforce System Partners
In 2021, the Chief Local Elected Officials and the Workforce Development Council formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with several partners. These organizations help deliver or support workforce services in alignment with WIOA.
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(253) 680-7400
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Bates Technical College
Bates Technical College enriches our community by inspiring student learning, challenging greater achievement, and educating for employment. With Bates as your educational partner, you can transform yourself.
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(888) 316-5627
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Career TEAM
Career Team provides employment and training support to adults experiencing barriers to the workforce through funds made available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
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(253) 589-5800
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Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park General Education Degree (GED) instructors are co-located within WorkSource Pierce to provide training and assistance with post-secondary pathways.
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(253) 596-3800
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Department of Labor & Industries
The Department of Labor and Industries (LNI) works with businesses to meet health and safety standards, as well as individuals who have experienced workplace injury.
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(253) 476-6962
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Department of Services for the Blind
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who are blind or visually impaired, pursue employment, education, and independent living.
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(253) 404-5500
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Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS)
Provides support to individuals and families by providing basic needs services and supplemental benefits.
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(253) 256-0161
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Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (Puyallup)
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) provides employment training and rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.
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(253) 983-6500
About this provider
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (Tacoma)
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) provides employment training and rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.
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(360) 902-9500
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Employment Security Department
Employment Security Department provides our communities with workforce solutions that promote economic resilience and prosperity.
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(253) 573-6577
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Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region
To achieve our vision, we are committed to helping people reach their fullest potential through education, job placement, and career pathway services. We do our work with great gratitude for the community donations, purchases, and partnerships that make our mission possible.
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(253) 967-3258
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Joint Base Lewis-Mcchord
Resume Building, Resume Reviews, Career Guidance, Mock Interviews, Labor Market Information, Salary Negotiation, and Warm hand-offs to other states.
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(253) 922-7225
About this provider
NineLine Veteran Services
NineLine Veteran Services uses innovative programs and services to support Veterans, their families, and the community. Their team of volunteers focus on helping veterans improve their lives, through housing, employment, and wellness.
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1 (877) 516-8323
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Operation Military Family
Operation Military Family helps veterans successfully navigate their transition OUT of the military, IN to effective civilian life, and UP the ladder of leadership and responsibility so that they can be America’s Greatest Asset in the workplace and community.
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(253) 572-9008
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Palmer Scholars
Palmer Scholars provides wraparound services to young adults throughout Pierce County who are 18 years and older.
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(253) 840-8400
About this provider
Pierce College
Pierce College creates quality educational opportunities for our community of learners to thrive in an evolving world.
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(253) 548-3300
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Pierce County Library System
The Pierce County Library System’s 19 libraries bring people together, enrich lives and provide children and adults with opportunities to learn.
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(253) 593-2111
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Sound Outreach
Sound Outreach helps Pierce County residents experiencing low and/or fixed-incomes build financial security through financial coaching, job training, and other connected services. Our Financial and Employment Coaches provide guidance and tools focused on increasing household income, attaining relief from predatory loans, improving credit scores, achieving high-wage jobs, and realizing long-term financial goals. Our services are always free; it is our mission to stabilize, elevate, and motivate our clients to greater heights.
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(253) 566-5000
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Tacoma Community College
We are a premier community college where all students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcomed, appreciated, and valued. We engage students where they are, leading to opportunities for success in learning, life, and work. We foster vibrant, productive partnerships that benefit our students and strengthen our community.
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(253) 383-3951
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Tacoma Community House
Tacoma Community House is a nationally-respected, community-based service center for immigrants, refugees, and long-time South Sound residents seeking enrichment and pathways to self-sufficiency. For over 110 years, they have helped countless individuals gain the skills they need to transition out of poverty, navigate a new culture, and find personal and professional success.
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(253) 207-4400
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Tacoma Housing Authority
Established in 1940, Tacoma Housing Authority provides high-quality, stable and sustainable housing and supportive services to people in need. It does this in ways that help them prosper and help our communities develop. THA develops and manages real estate and provides rental housing. In partnership with thousands of private landlords, it helps families pay the rent in the private rental market. It delivers supportive services to help families succeed as “tenants, parents, students, wage earners and builders of assets who can live without assistance.”
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(253) 383-4493
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Tacoma Rescue Mission
Since 1912, the Mission has been offering God’s Help, Hope and Healing to the most impoverished members of our community.
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(253) 272-4263
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United Way of Pierce County
United Way of Pierce County has served our community since 1921. Our history is rooted in partnerships—bringing people from different walks of life together to improve conditions for children, families and individuals. While that will never change, our role as a community fundraiser has shifted as the United Way movement has sharpened our focus to solve key community issues that are preventing people from meeting their full potential. Today we are leading change by breaking the cycle of poverty in Pierce County.
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(253) 301-2134
About this provider
Valeo Vocation
To combat poverty and homelessness in Pierce County by offering quick access to income, combined with wrap-around support, to help participants create a well-defined path towards permanent employment and housing.
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(253) 593-7300
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WorkSource Pierce
WorkSource Pierce is a member of the nationwide system of American Job Centers. As a One-Stop Job Center, WorkSource Pierce houses multiple state and local partners who serve the community to meet the complex needs of job seekers and businesses. WorkSource Pierce offers employment re-entry services, employment and training for job seekers, and job search assistance. Established in 2014, under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) WorkSource services are aligned and integrated to meet the needs of businesses and job seekers alike.
