Attend WA-TAA Partnership meetings Dec. 5-16 statewide

The Washington State Labor Council invites all who are interested in workforce and economic development issues to join us at WA-TAA Partnership meetings being hosted throughout the state Dec. 5 through Dec. 16 (see the schedule below).  These informal roundtables are an opportunity to bridge gaps in workforce and economic development to serve workers and businesses in the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

The WSLC has partnered with the Washington State Employment Security Department to increase our outreach around the TAA program.  Since receiving a federal grant in July 2010, we have helped file more than 40 petitions statewide, giving hundreds of displaced workers access to substantial reemployment, retraining and health care support. We have also partnered with local representatives of the TAA for Firms program to increase awareness about funds available to businesses faced with global competition.  For more information about certified companies in Washington or the benefits of TAA, please visit: www.TAA-Washington.org.

The two previous rounds of WA-TAA Partnership meetings have been valuable in building relationships, cultivating outreach resources, and identifying TAA-applicable downsizing events.  In addition to expanding upon those conversations, the following topics will be timely to address in this last established round of meetings:

• Congressional action that reinstates eligibility for companies impacted by both trade and international outsourcing (service sector layoffs);
• The award of $20 million to Washington training providers via the TAA for Community and Technical College grant;
• The small window remaining to use grant resources on initiative ideas before the end of the year; and
• How the WSLC can best support workers, businesses and the WorkSource system in moving forward.

The input of all partners in workforce and economic development — and their unique vantage points in the system — are valuable, so please consider attending one or more of the following meetings to learn more about the TAA program or help guide our outreach for the future.  They are structured to be accessible for each of the Workforce Development Areas in the state.

EVERETT — 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 5 — Snohomish Workforce Development Council Chambers

ELMA — 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 — Satsop Development Park

TACOMA — 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 — Tacoma-Pierce County Workforce Central

BREMERTON — 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 — WorkSource Kitsap

YAKIMA — 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 — South Central Workforce Development Council

WALLA WALLA — 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 — WorkSource Walla Walla

KENNEWICK — 1 to 2 p.m. (time tentative) Friday, Dec. 9 — WorkSource Columbia Basin

SEATTLE — 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13 — WorkSource North Seattle

BELLINGHAM — 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13 — WorkSource Whatcom

WENATCHEE — 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15 — North Central Workforce Development Council

SPOKANE — 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16 — WorkSource Spokane

If you have any questions or to RSVP, please email Caitlyn Felling or call 866-TAA-3399. Address and room location will be provided at that time.

Check out this video, produced by the WSLC, to explain TAA: