SkillSource WA

Joyson Safety Systems had 14 managers and supervisors who had been promoted from within the company, many of them starting out as temporary hires. With internal growth comes the need for internal training. But growing companies don’t always have those training resources.

That’s what Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) is built for — providing new skills for the people already on your team. Joyson partnered with SkillSource, and then brought in a leadership coach to fill the skill gap with targeted training for their team. The return showed up fast. Within days of the training, employees were reaching out to HR Manager Maritza Enriquez to say they felt valued and that the training gave them practical communication skills that they could put to work immediately. 👏

Read how IWT worked for Joyson → https://skillsource.org/success-story/leading-up-for-joyson-safety-systems/

When you walk through the doors at CAFÉ's new space on Lewis Street, you'll be greeted by a bright and colorful mural, created by local high school student, Monse.

A paid work experience through a partnership with SkillSource and CAFE gave Monse a path to employment that was in line with her interests.

Now she leads youth art activities and supports events at CAFÉ! When the right opportunity finds the right person, the whole community benefits.

Read the story: https://skillsource.org/success-story/the-art-of-getting-to-work/

☕ We are officially ONE WEEK OUT from our special Business is Brewing presentation with OMWBE!

Invites have started going out through email, text and in person! We hope you will join us on Wednesday, May 27th from 9:30am to 11:00am at Plaza on Main in Othello.

If you are a woman-owned, minority-owned, or small business looking to grow, gain visibility, connect to resources, or learn more about programs designed specifically to support YOU — this session is for you!

Come learn about:
✔ Business certification opportunities
✔ Access to resources and support programs
✔ Government contracting opportunities
✔ Financial programs that may help businesses save money and grow

A huge thank you to AMJ Leasing for sponsoring the meeting space!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Look down. That concrete beneath your feet didn't lay itself. Neither did the wiring behind your walls or the grid keeping your AC alive in August. This month on Common Thread, we talked with Nate Mack and Randy Curry — SkillSource board members and union tradespeople.

What does it actually take to get started in the trades? How are younger workers influencing the trades and how we work? And who exactly is the smartest person in the room? 😉 Thank you Nate and Randy for your time, your humor, and for helping us strengthen our workforce from the ground up.

Catch the conversation here: https://skillsource.org/common-thread-a-conversation-with-randy-curry-and-nate-mack/

Al Valdez has a smile that can light up a softball field at midnight. He has guided young people as a Youth Career Trainer in Moses Lake for 23 years, and the impact is greater than the sum of the numbers. A young person who feels seen, encouraged, and guided toward meaningful work carries that forward into families, workplaces, and the community around them. The ripple effect is real.

Please join us in thanking Al for his decades of dedicated service with SkillSource. He may be retiring from this organization, but we know he'll continue to light up lives throughout the community. 👏

It was a lightbulb moment for SkillSource students as they explored career pathways at the Grant PUD Career Fair and Columbia Basin Job Corps. Training in the trades can lead to high-wage, debt-free jobs that power our daily lives. Curiosity about how a community functions becomes a tangible plan for how to build it. 💡

Read the story and see photos: https://skillsource.org/field-trips-flip-a-switch/

Join us Friday, March 15, from 11–11:45 AM for our next live Common Thread conversation, featuring SkillSource board members, Randy Curry (IBEU #191), Augustine Gallegos (Teamsters 760), and Nate Mack (LiUNA 348). 👏

The Zoom link is available on the SkillSource website on our Events Calendar. No pre-registration is required. The conversation will be recorded and shared on the website.

Common Thread conversations are facilitated by Kelli Martinelli of SkillSource.

See Events Calendar: https://skillsource.org/events/

Education is a cornerstone of our workforce system.
Before someone can step into a job, someone has to help them figure out what they can do. That happens every day in our learning centers.

Earlier this year, SkillSource recognized partners in Okanogan, Othello, and Wenatchee as Workforce Champions for the role they play in this work. To the SkillSource teachers in Omak, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, and Othello — and to every person dedicated to this calling — we see you, and we thank you.

Read the full story: https://skillsource.org/it-starts-with-someone-who-sees-you/

📣 Hiring and Resource Event on May 15 from 10 AM until 2 PM at WorkSource Central Basin in Moses Lake. Bring copies of your resume to meet with local employers who are actively hiring, and connect with resource agencies for supportive services.