Projects

This page is your launch pad to explore projects, boards and other activities in which the Institute participates, representing the interests of the employer community in Washington. The AWB Institute partners with state government, private industry and other non-governmental organizations in pursuing its mission to develop truly effective worker training programs in Washington state. Here are some of the state boards and projects the Institute is involved with:

Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTECB) - The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) is a governor-appointed body representing a partnership of 12 members from business, labor and government. The Workforce Board advises the governor on workforce development policy, ensures that the state's workforce preparation services and programs work together, and evaluates performance. The board also advocates for the non-baccalaureate training and education needs of the workers who account for about 75 percent of Washington state's workforce.

The AWB Institute is also heavily involved in the High Skills, High Wages - Industry Committee of the board. This work group focuses on industry-related issues including ways to meet the needs of employers for highly skilled workers, the development of industry cluster strategies,and find ways to better link workforce and economic development.

State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) - The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is authorized by statute to employ an executive director who serves at the discretion of the board as its executive officer, secretary and administrator of the Community and Technical College Act. With the board's approval, the director employs a staff, headquartered in Olympia. The State Board staff is responsible for administering the Community and Technical College Act and providing leadership and coordination for the community and technical college system.

Workforce College - A joint venture of the Association of Washington Business and Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Workforce College brings together 34 colleges across the state to offers its business communities an efficient and high-value source of employee training.

Work Readiness Credential - Washington state has developed a national Work Readiness Credential, which defines, assesses and certifies that individuals can meet the demands of entry-level work. Initiated in response to business concerns about the difficulty in finding qualified applicants, the WRC is based on a cross-industry standard, defined by experts from multiple business sectors, of what entry-level workers need to meet to be successful. This standard includes the ability to cooperate with others, communicate (orally in English, as well as to read and write), solve problems, resolve conflicts, take responsibility, learn and adapt to change.

Washington State Lifelong Learning Accounts (WA LiLA) - Lifelong Learning Accounts (LiLAs) are an employee-owned educational savings account that helps pay for education and training expenses. It's a new employee benefits program where regular contributions by employees are matched by the employer.

Past Projects - The AWB Institute has been heavily involved in many workforce training and education projects in the past. Please check back here later for additional information.