swwdc-11122015_web-groupStaff from the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) and WorkSource Vancouver visited the Port of Vancouver USA Nov. 12 to share their agencies’ backgrounds and services with port tenants.

SWWDC is one of 12 workforce investment boards in the state of Washington charged with providing resources to help improve the skills and education of Southwest Washington’s workforce. SWWDC also collaborates with employers to help them find the workers they need.

WorkSource Vancouver specializes in helping businesses and job applicants with training needs, including classroom, Web-based and customized training.

During the workshop, port tenants indicated their need to find and retain qualified workers, keep skill levels current, and develop a pipeline to younger workers as the “Baby Boomer” generation retires. SWWDC staff explained how they can help port tenants find and hire qualified employees, provide on-the-job training subsidies, provide financial support for targeted training or specific certifications, screen applications, and connect businesses with young adults for apprenticeship and interning opportunities.

WorkSource staff shared information on their organization’s resources, which include helping employers with recruitment efforts, skill assessment testing, hiring fairs, access to thousands of online classes, and even outplacement services.

Many port tenants have small human resources departments or have staff in those departments performing multiple functions. The resources offered by these organizations can be invaluable in helping businesses at the port and across our community meet their workforce needs.