Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW), formerly the Southwest Washington Workforce, is a nonprofit organization seeking ideas for programs that would train and help funnel out-of-school youths, aged 16 to 24, into skilled jobs in Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties.
The organization, which focuses on regional economic growth, aims to identify and fund organizations that will design innovative programming and comprehensive services that ensure Southwest Washington youth are prepared for post-secondary success and to serve as a skilled and qualified pipeline to fill local workforce demands.
To do so the WSW will hold a conference for prospective bidders on Dec. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Port of Kalama, 110 W. Marine Drive, Kalama. Both organizations share common workforce, jobs and economic development missions.
WSW oversees the workforce system for Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties and has invested nearly $70 million to get people working in Southwest Washington. The Port of Kalama exists to induce capital investments in an environmentally responsible manner to create jobs and enhance public recreational opportunities. More than 30 companies, employing more than 1,000 people, call the Port of Kalama home, including a variety of new and emerging businesses.
The WSW RFP seeks service providers that demonstrate a commitment and history of serving one or more of the following populations: homeless or runaway, foster child, pregnant or parenting, offender, individuals with disabilities (including learning disabilities), veteran or veteran spouse, communities of color or English language learners. WSW is also looking for innovation, collaboration, and passion.
Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Pacific Time on January 20, 2017. The Request for Proposal (RFP) and be found at this link: WIOA Out-of-School Youth RFP 2017-2020 Final
For more information on WSW, visit http://workforcesw.org.
