District Workforce Development Newsletter - January 2025

South Seattle College is thrilled to announce the extension of its successful Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) program. The AMT program and the new Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Mechanic program which launched in 2024, are vital pathways to high-quality, family-wage careers in the aviation industry.

Since 2020, the Port of Seattle, South Seattle College, and Port Jobs have partnered to offer an Introduction to Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) class for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) employees and community members interested in becoming aircraft mechanics. This foundational, one-quarter class is a bridge to the two-year, Federal Aviation Administration-approved AMT training program at South Seattle College. As Washington’s largest AMT training program, South Seattle College provides students with the skills to maintain aircraft airframes and powerplants; notably, this certification also opens doors to opportunities in industries like elevator repair, appliance servicing, and power utilities.

In 2024, the Port of Seattle led an initiative to fund a Ground Support Equipment Mechanics bridge course as a second workforce development offering to SEA workers and the community. South Seattle College was selected through a competitive process to support the development and implementation of the GSE pathways program to support workers at SEA in advancing in their careers to become airport GSE mechanics. The first GSE bridge cohort launched in Fall quarter of 2024 and graduated its first class this past December. Students who graduated from this program have the opportunity to attend South Seattle College’s Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology program, in which the full 2-year GSE training program has been embedded.

South Seattle College is very excited to announce that the creation of an ongoing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Port of Seattle is now in the process of being executed. This illustrates a remarkable commitment by all parties to see this program further embedded in the community, and it is a testament to the ongoing partnership and commitment between the Port of Seattle, South Seattle College, and Port Jobs. These programs exemplify South Seattle College’s dedication to expanding equitable access to industry-aligned education and fostering strong community and industry partnerships.

For more information or to register for upcoming information sessions, visit PortJobs.org.

The District Workforce Office recently convened a collaborative meeting with faculty and deans at North Seattle College to explore fundraising opportunities for the revitalization of the playground serving the Parent Education Program. This vital initiative aims to enhance the outdoor learning and play environment for young children, aligning with the program’s mission to support early childhood development and parental engagement. The discussion focused on identifying potential grants, partnerships with local businesses, and community-driven campaigns to secure the necessary funds. Together, the team demonstrated a shared commitment to improving resources that directly benefit families and enrich the educational experience at North Seattle College.

Inspired by Parent Education Program’s commitment to supporting families, North Seattle College faculty member Tania Hino offers a wealth of knowledge and perspectives on parenting and early childhood development in the “Parenting Takes a Village: North Seattle College and You” podcast. Tune in by following this link or scanning the QR code below: 

The Seattle Housing Authority’s JobLink Program, in partnership with Seattle Colleges Workforce Development Office, is proud to share the incredible progress made in empowering residents through education and employment opportunities. Thanks to the dedication of JobLink College Navigators, Galila Getahun and Jessica Alba, the program continues to make a positive impact on the lives of its participants.

Here are some highlights from the 2024 year-end report:

Exceeding Enrollment Goals

This year, the JobLink Program surpassed its goal of serving 650 residents! As of December 13, 2024, an impressive 664 residents have enrolled. This achievement reflects the hard work of our team and the trust our community places in JobLink.

Education Enrollments on Track

Education remains at the heart of the JobLink Program. With a target of 250 educational enrollments, 232 residents have already begun their learning journeys. The remaining 18 participants are within reach, and we’re committed to connecting more individuals with opportunities to build brighter futures.

Success Story: This fall, we ran a two-week JobLink announcement on Canvas to reach current students, resulting in a 50% increase in new applications to the program. These innovative outreach efforts are making a real difference!

Job Placements: Supporting Career Success

While we’ve made strong progress, there’s more work to be done to reach our goal of 140 job placements. So far, 115 participants have secured employment, leaving 25 more to go.

Job placements are made possible through a close partnership between College Navigators and Seattle Housing Authority Career Coaches. This seamless handoff ensures participants are well-supported as they transition into the workforce, equipped with the skills and credentials they need to succeed.

We are proud of the progress made in 2024 and are excited to build on these successes in the year ahead. Together, we’re creating opportunities, changing lives, and strengthening our community.

The Bill and Melinda gates Foundation Limitless Grant has graciously supported the district workforce team, Seattle Promise, and Seattle Public Schools CTE team to attend ACTE's CareerTech VISION 2024. This event presented a tremendous opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between Seattle Public Schools and Seattle Colleges in advancing CTE pathways. As the signature event for career and technical education (CTE) professionals, it lays the foundation for meaningful partnerships between high school programs and community colleges.

Held at the Henry Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX, from December 4 to December 7, VISION offered comprehensive programming focused on high-quality CTE in both secondary and postsecondary environments. Attendees explored emerging trends to help career and technical educators thrive in their careers. The event provided an exceptional platform for networking, showcasing an Expo, hundreds of concurrent program sessions, and numerous opportunities to foster professional connections.

ACTE’s premier annual conference attracted thousands of CTE educators, business leaders, and industry professionals from around the world. Attendees benefited from featured keynote speakers and thought leaders on the main stage, as well as diverse educational sessions and networking events in various formats. The CareerTech Expo further enriched the experience by connecting participants with innovative resources and tools.

The concurrent educational sessions provided fresh insights and addressed timely topics in high-quality secondary and postsecondary CTE. Specific content areas included agricultural education, business and marketing, career academies, counseling and career development, family and consumer sciences, engineering and technology, health science, trade and industrial education, work-based learning, and more. This collaborative and dynamic environment underscored the importance of partnership in creating robust pathways for student success and workforce development.

Open Positions

• The Herbfarm Culinary Internship (Woodinville).
• (2) Front End Communications Intern/Work Study (South Seattle College – WorkSource/Career Services).

Interested in hosting an intern in your department?

Contact us