Workforce Resources

Pierce County

Economic Development Division

WorkSource The Business Connection -Pierce County
WorkSource the Business Connection offers workforce-oriented assistance and can help your company in employee recruitment, a job listing service, information about tax credits, on the job training contracts, employee development and labor market information. WorkSource's core services are free and are used by a variety of companies throughout Pierce County. Contact the WorkSource Business Connection at 253-583-8800.

Universities
Pierce County has 3 outstanding four-year institutions that offer both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The universities are: University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, and the University of Puget Sound. In addition, the University of Washington Tacoma campus has the Institute of Technology, which focuses on supporting the educational needs for the high-technology industry here in WA State.

Community & Technical Colleges
Pierce County has 5 excellent community and technical colleges that provide classes, contract training, and other resources to local employers. The colleges are: Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College, Pierce College - Fort Steilacoom, Pierce College - Puyallup, and Tacoma Community College. Several other colleges offer branch locations such as Evergreen State College and Chapman University.

Job Skills Program
The Job Skills Program offers training customized to meet employer's needs. JSP funds are awarded to licensed educational institutions to cover half of the training cost (the other half must be provided by the employer). Funds can be used for customized training, cross-training, basic skills training, continuous improvement, train-the-trainer programs, and new employee services.

Vadis
Vadis is a non-profit agency in Sumner that works with Pierce County business to hire disabled employees. Vadis seeks to match the right employer with the right employee based on employee qualifications, interests, and the firms needs. Vadis offers further support and job training for placed employees and can help your business identify skilled disabled employees.

Washington Customized Training Program
The Washington Customized Training Program (CTP) was created by the State Legislature in 2006 to provide training assistance to businesses locating new jobs or expanding jobs in the state.

Under the CTP, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) pays the costs up front for customized training. After training is completed, the business repays the cost to the SBCTC interest free. Upon completion of training, 25 percent of the full amount is due, and the remaining 75 percent due is spread over 18 months.

After a business makes the initial payment of 25 percent to the SBCTC, they may take a state B&O tax credit equal to half of the amount. As the business pays off the remainder over the 18 month period, the business may continue to take tax credits equal to 50 percent of each repayment amount. Thus, the total tax credit is equal to 50 percent of the cost of the training program.