Gregoire touts Spokane WorkSource center

Expect Washington’s other WorkSource centers to borrow from Spokane’s award-winning model, Gov. Chris Gregoire said Tuesday.

Gregoire said the center, which earlier this month was named the best among 1,800 in the United States, has established best practices she wants other state work force training and placement centers to adopt. But, she added, Spokane succeeded on the basis of partnerships and personalities that will not be the same elsewhere.

“They’ve taken it to a new level and drilled down,” Gregoire told about 30 WorkSource employees gathered at its 130 S. Arthur office.

She said the willingness of Washington officials to respond to business needs has helped the state earn recognition from Fortune and Forbes magazines as one of the best for business and kept state unemployment low as a result.

The jobless rate has remained below 5 percent for 18 months, said Gregoire, who suggested that streak may soon be broken if the national economy does not strengthen.

WorkSource partners include the Department of Employment Security, Career Path Services, Educational School District 101, the Community Colleges of Spokane and Goodwill Industries. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation moves in July 1.

It was the combining of all the services that brought the best-of award from the International Association of Workforce Professionals.

Mark Mattke, director for workforce strategy and planning at the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council, said the groups have worked to consolidate assessment, education and training efforts to make it easier for employers to find the people they want, and for would-be employees to find the services they need.

Sharing space also saves money, which is becoming more scarce as the federal government cuts back, he said.

A Next Generation Zone offers opportunities for dropouts to finish their high school education and find additional resources, he said.

To improve access still more, Mattke said WorkSource is going into the schools and will add an outreach office at the Northeast Community Center.

Although all the organizations involved had to make adjustments, Mattke said, “nobody is not meeting a goal because of the partnership.”