Building Regional Technology Workforce Capacity: A Leap Forward with the Good Jobs Challenge Grant

It’s no secret that there is a growing number of incredible, well-paid technology-related jobs in North Central Washington. Young people, job seekers, and individuals who want to develop new skills and land one of these jobs will soon have access to a number of training and career support to help them land one of these jobs. 

The North Central Career Connect Washington Network, led by SkillSource and the North Central Educational Services District (NCESD), has partnered with Statewide nonprofit, Computing for All to bring some of the Federal Good Jobs funding into the region and kicked off a regional consortia of skilling and development partners to help prepare 172 local individuals for technology roles in the next two years. The Regional Network has assembled a consortium of partners that will receive funding over the next two years to work collectively to build out an inclusive workforce pipeline for the technology sector in the region. 

NCESD has been at the forefront of regional strategies for the development of career connected learning paths for young people across the region. Notably, this included the development of the State’s first Data Center Prep Program, last year in Quincy, which allows high school students access to skills training and credentials starting in high school. The pathway completes with one year of courses at Big Bend Community College and a certificate that set a student up for hire as Data Center Technicians with local employers like NTT, Sabey, Vantage, and Microsoft. NCESD is currently working with the Wenatchee School District to expand the program to students in Wenatchee in 2024.   

SkillSource has been equally instrumental in the development of the regional workforce strategy as the regional home for the North Central Workforce Development Board. SkillSource ensures that there are programs and access for the often overlooked segments of the population. From rural and dispersed communities to the long-term unemployed and underemployed, SkillSource is casting a wide net to include those with sporadic or no labor force attachment, incumbent workers within tech businesses, disconnected youth, low-income individuals, and those with justice involvement. SkillSource is dedicating resources to incumbent worker training, aiding local businesses in the tech sector, and those employing technology-centric occupations. The goal is clear: to provide these groups with the opportunity to thrive in the tech sector. 

In addition to NCESD and SkillSource, both Big Bend Community College (BBCC) and Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) will also be receiving funding to support students in technology, IT and Data Center Programs. The combined service area of WVC and BBCC encompasses Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan, and Adams counties. In addition to industry-aligned skills training and credentialing, both colleges provide students with career services and job placement support. Both comprehensive community colleges offer high school diplomas, associate degrees, professional and technical certificates, and applied baccalaureate degrees. In the last year, students at Big Bend and Wenatchee Valley College were awarded 278 industry credentials aligned to the technology sector.

Other partners including NCW Tech Alliance, the Apple STEM Network and gener8tor will work to support the effort with complimentary contributions to ensure that the investment reaches across the region. The initiative is not just about funding; and it’s more than a series of initiatives; it's a commitment to the future of the tech industry and the individuals who will lead it. It's about creating a sustainable ecosystem that supports the entire journey of a tech professional—from education to employment. 

The funding will be used to adds staffing capacity to SkillSource, NCESD, Big Bend Community College, and Wenatchee Valley College to support this project as essential parts of a comprehensive approach that includes workforce preparation activities, supportive services, case management, and referrals to other community and agency partners.

NCESD has selected, Nikki Medved, Instructional Worksite Learning Coordinator to lead this consortia and manage the project for the region. 

Medved's excited about the potential impact of this regional work, “This work is so inspiring. We are working together to help students prepare for future careers through hands-on professional work experiences with wrap-around supports. Our collaboration empowers students and young adults to navigate their path to great technology jobs, and I couldn't be more excited to be a part of this project!”

The consortium will work over the next two years through employer engagement, candidate outreach and recruitment, career navigation, soft skills and career readiness training, and wraparound services aligned with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Additionally, technology degree and certificate programs through Big Bend Community College and Wenatchee Valley College, career launch endorsements, and CompTIA industry certifications are part of the comprehensive training offerings.

With a target completion date of September 30, 2025, the Good Jobs Grant anticipates achieving a total of 173 job placements across Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties. This goal encompasses diverse opportunities such as paid internships, apprenticeships, contracts, and permanent positions.

This initiative represents a significant step forward in regional technology workforce development. It's an effort that not only addresses the immediate needs of the tech industry but also lays the groundwork for a resilient and diverse workforce capable of driving innovation and growth for years to come. It’s a great time to be in North Central Washington if you’re looking to be a part of this exciting journey!