Spokane Workforce Council

10/29/2026

Thank you to Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines for their $5,000 investment in the Next Generation Zone’s Essential Skills Academy & Access Initiative!

For many young people, the hardest part of building a career is simply getting there. This support will help youth and young adults ages 16 to 24 overcome transportation and other access barriers, so they can attend and complete the Next Generation Zone's Essential Skills Academy, a workforce readiness course that builds the skills employers are looking for.

As a transportation company, Alaska Airlines knows that reliable access opens doors. We’re grateful to have them as partners in helping Spokane’s young people move toward their goals.

10/28/2026

The WWA Workforce Summit is NEXT WEEK, and this year it’s right here in Spokane!

We’re thrilled to welcome workforce leaders, employers, and partners from across Washington to our hometown November 3–5 at the Davenport Grand Hotel. That’s three days of hands-on workshops, conversations about where our workforce system is headed, plenty of networking, and a celebration of what we’ve built together statewide.

There’s still time to grab your spot. Register here: https://wwa2026.eventscribe.net/

See you downtown, Spokane!

10/27/2026

Happy National Mentoring Day!

Behind most success stories is someone who took the time to listen, share what they know, and cheer us on. Today we’re celebrating the mentors in Spokane County who help others grow in their careers.

If someone made a difference for you, today is a great day to tell them thank you.

10/23/2026

All 12 of Washington's workforce boards, including Spokane Workforce Council, signed an open letter to Governor Ferguson, which was recently sent by the Washington Workforce Association (WWA). The letter asks the Governor to:

- Release $5.5 million in unused WIOA set-aside funds through local workforce boards
- Invest those funds in Economic Security for All (EcSA), serving an estimated 1,100 more families
- Protect EcSA from further cuts, and grow it

See more at the link below:

Governor Ferguson recently signed an executive order responding to H.R. 1, the federal law that adds new work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP. WWA Executive Director John Traugott sent the Governor an open letter, signed by workforce leaders across the state, urging more action to prepare.

10/21/2026

Meet Kelley Charvet, SHRM-SCP, Chief Administrative Officer at CHAS Health and a five-year member of the Spokane Workforce Council board. Kelley serves on our Executive Committee and our Services and Oversight Committee.

Kelley joined the board when CHAS Health’s CEO invited her to take his seat. She brings a strong commitment to workforce development and to building the regional collaboration that keeps our economy thriving.

CHAS Health is a community health center serving the Inland Northwest and one of the region’s larger healthcare employers. Kelley’s work includes recruiting, developing, and retaining the people who deliver care. That gives our board a direct view into the healthcare talent pipeline, along with experience in policy, funding, and cross-sector partnerships. That partnership shows up in practice too: CHAS Health has worked with the Council to support people in its apprenticeship programs, turning workforce investment into real career pathways.

On the board, Kelley represents the healthcare sector, especially community health centers, and helps make sure Council strategy reflects real employer needs and expands opportunity for Spokane residents.

Outside of work, you’ll find Kelley golfing, reading, traveling, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.

Thank you, Kelley, for your leadership and service.

10/20/2026

We’re grateful to the Northwest Business Development Association for a $25,000 award supporting our childcare work in the 2026-2027 year.

This funding will bring classroom management and behavior support training to early educators already working in Spokane County. Providers told us this was their top training need, and we’re partnering with the early learning trainers to deliver it.

Thank you, NWBDA, for consistently investing in the Spokane Workforce Council and in our work to strengthen the early learning community. When educators are supported, children thrive, families can work, and our whole community benefits.

10/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who made the 2026 Access Spokane Job & Resource Fair a success!

To every attendee, resource provider, and employer who joined us at CenterPlace, thank you for making it a great afternoon. Thank you to WorkSource Spokane and Spokane County for leading the on-site workshops.

A special thank you to our event sponsor, Spokane County, and our Refresh & Recharge sponsor, Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest!

Goodwill's programs help people work, live, train, and manage their finances across eastern Washington and north Idaho. Learn more: https://discovergoodwill.org/i-need-help/

See you next October!

10/14/2026

It’s here! The Access Spokane Job & Resource Fair is TODAY.

Wednesday, October 14
1:00 to 4:00 PM
CenterPlace Regional Event Center, Spokane Valley

Connect face to face with 46 employers and resource providers, many of them actively hiring. Whether you’re looking for your next job, exploring career options, or learning about supports in our community, there’s a place for you here.

Also happening today:
Free workshops in Room 110 at 1:30, 2:15, and 3:00
Translation services available
Resource providers ready to help with employment supports, training, and more

Bring a few copies of your resume, and bring a friend! Everyone is welcome.

We’re proud to host this event in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. See you this afternoon!

Thank you to our sponsors Spokane County and Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest

10/13/2026

When families can't find or afford childcare, parents step back from work and employers lose the talent they need. Access to affordable early learning is a key driver of the health of our regional labor market.

That's why Spokane Workforce Council took a closer look at early learning in our region. Our new research explores the needs of providers across our region and offers recommendations for sustainability. It also maps out early learning career pathways and the entry points to a meaningful career that supports families and our economy.

We've also launched a new early learning page with the findings, data, and a look at our work in this space over the past three years.

Explore the research: spokaneworkforce.org/early-learning

This work was made possible with Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the City of Spokane - Municipal Government. We're also grateful to the Northwest Business Development Association (NWBDA) for their consistent support of our early learning work. For a full list of our supporters and partners, visit the page above.

10/12/2026

Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the rich history, cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous communities.

At the Spokane Workforce Council, we are grateful to live and work on the traditional lands of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and we extend our respect to Native peoples throughout our region and across the United States.