WorkForce Central (WFC) is inviting Pierce County businesses to apply for funding assistance to enhance their employee’s skills. $450,000 is available to help multiple businesses with training related costs.
“We have made available funds to help you build up your workforce,” Linda Nguyen, CEO of WFC, said. “This is just one of the things WorkForce Central is doing to help Pierce County businesses.”
WFC is responding to the Pierce County business community’s need to keep its employees skills current, including both soft and technical skills.
“This is another opportunity for Pierce County workers to sharpen their talents,” said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, WFC Board Chair. “Changes in the workplace are constant. The funding is a wonderful chance for businesses to remain competitive by helping their employees stay on top of operational changes and learn new skills.”
“This investment was competitively obtained to benefit our local businesses in a time when employee training funds are tight,” Nguyen said. “A highly trained workforce is key to our economic recovery and overall prosperity.”
Businesses benefiting from WFC funding include Franciscan Health System and MultiCare Health System. They have taken advantage of WFC’s Career Coaching program to help employees gain skills to move up the career ladder and fill in-demand jobs, such as registered nurses. To date, about 230 healthcare employees have completed training through the program, with approximately 30 more on their way.
“WorkForce Central is an excellent partner to work with! Their partnership has helped us grow and develop our own internal workforce,” Darci Gibson, Director-HP Generalist Services for MultiCare, said. “Through their funding and assistance, our employees were able to gain the needed skills to move up the career ladder and fill in-demand jobs, such as registered nurses, increasing our retention rates.”
Interested businesses will need to submit a funding request by Feb. 19, no later than 5:00 p.m. Awarded requests will be announced on March 1. Visit http://www.workforce-central.org to access the online submission form or for more information.
