SNOHOMISH COUNTY – The Future Workforce Alliance and Workforce Snohomish are announcing the launch of the Skills for Snohomish County’s Future Initiative.
The Future Workforce Alliance (FWA) is Snohomish County’s designated local workforce development board, focused on connecting businesses, job seekers, and training resources to strengthen economic opportunity in the county. Skills for Snohomish County’s Future is a business-driven, year-long pilot that marks a shift in strategy: rather than organizing services primarily around individual job seekers, it builds a coordinated response to employer demand for skilled talent, while ensuring county residents have real access to high-quality career pathways.
The FWA Board of Directors approved the investment as part of its broader strategy to strengthen the region’s workforce system. This is a jobs-first investment in workforce development, starting with confirmed employer demand and working backward to prepare and connect talent, rather than starting with training and hoping it leads to a job. The FWA is the first local workforce development board in the nation to adopt the Skills for America model.
The timing reflects a complex moment in the local economy. While some Snohomish County employers are struggling to find skilled talent, many workers across the county are facing layoffs and job instability. Skills for Snohomish County’s Future is designed to help businesses build sustainable, skills-based hiring practices while helping displaced and underemployed residents move into those quality jobs with room to grow.
“Businesses across Snohomish County need a pipeline of skilled talent to remain competitive and grow and our community needs the ability to retain that talent here, in careers connected to our region’s growth industries. Today, thousands of skilled individuals remain disconnected from those opportunities: some have recently lost jobs through no fault of their own, while others face barriers to entry based on a variety of factors. This is not simply a supply-demand mismatch. It is a systems failure, one that the Future Workforce Alliance has been deliberately and strategically working to address, so that economic growth in our county translates into real opportunity for the people who live here,” said Dr. Janice Greene, Chair, Future Workforce Alliance Board of Directors.
Skills for America is a national initiative that focuses on building deep, sustained relationships with businesses that help change hiring practices, remove artificial barriers to entry, and invest in training workers on the job. This model builds on the FWA’s investment in Workforce Compass, a platform run by Workforce Snohomish that uses artificial intelligence to help job seekers identify skills and connect with training, while helping businesses find qualified candidates based on skills rather than formal credentials alone.
Businesses that participate in the initiative will be supported in identifying the actual skills a role requires, removing unnecessary barriers, and building on-the-job training so newly hired workers can grow into the position.
Beginning in January 2027, staff from Workforce Snohomish and Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) will work closely with two to three local advanced manufacturing businesses, with an initial focus on meeting their immediate hiring needs and ensuring new hires are set up for success. Over time, the initiative will explore opportunities for additional training and advancement once foundational hiring goals are
met.
“This initiative is an expansion of the work our Business Engagement team already does every day with businesses across Snohomish County, deepening those relationships so we can meet businesses where they are and help them build the workforce they need to grow. As industries evolve and skills gaps continue to hold back both businesses and job seekers, we believe this is the future of workforce development: a model built to scale, one that can eventually bring together a broader network of communities, organizations, and agencies around a shared approach. We’re proud to bring our expertise in employer engagement to this work, and we’re grateful for the Future Workforce Alliance’s investment in building what our region needs for the long term,” said Joy Emory, President & CEO, Workforce Snohomish.
About Skills for America
Skills for America’s data-driven, human-centered approach forges deep employer relationships that mutually benefit overlooked talent and business. While born in Chicago, the Skills model is working in communities across the US, as the challenges of a disconnected workforce are not isolated to any one city.
https://skillsforchicago.org/skillsfor-america/
About the Future Workforce Alliance
The Future Workforce Alliance is Snohomish County’s designated Local Workforce Development Board, connecting job seekers, employers, and training providers to propel the economy forward and create economic opportunity for all.
https://snohomishcountywa.gov/5610/Future-Workforce-Alliance
About Workforce Snohomish
Workforce Snohomish is a 501(c)3 organization and strategic partner to the Future Workforce Alliance, delivering comprehensive solutions that strengthen local businesses, support workers, and create pathways to sustainable employment. Workforce Snohomish will lead implementation of the Skills for Snohomish County’s Future Initiative.
https://www.workforcesnohomish.org/
Source: Snohomish County
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
