Center of Excellence partners with Computing For All in Washington Jobs Initiative
The Washington Jobs Initiative (WJI) is a $23.5 million grant aiming to educate and train at least 5,000 Washingtonians with the hope of ensuring 3,150 good jobs by 2025. The WJI (opens in a new window) is the state-specific portion of the national Good Jobs Challenge (opens in a new window) , which aims to help more than 50,000 American workers into good, quality jobs.
Computing For All
Computing for All (opens in a new window) is the nonprofit chosen by the Washington Student Achievement Council (opens in a new window) to provide 1,000 job placements across all sectors of the IT and Cybersecurity industry by October 2025. Computing For All is leading the Washington Technology Workforce Coalition (opens in a new window) to bring together employers, educators, and other partners in this effort.
Important partnerships
The Center of Excellence is proud to be a partner with Computing For All in this important work. Through targeted program pathways intended to lead to tech careers, the Center of Excellence will help promote Washington community and technical colleges. The Center of Excellence is excited to partner with Computing For All in working together to develop a more diverse tech workforce in Washington, to ensure employers receive more applicants who possess industry-critical skills, and to help higher education students secure quality jobs.
As part of The Coalition, industry partners are connected with students enrolled in newly created career pathways programs. Partners also provide greater opportunities to qualified students to participate in work-based learning.
Overall, the WJI is one of 32 industry-led workforce training partnerships awarded a grant through the Good Jobs Challenge.
Diversity, equity & inclusion
WJI keeps equity at the center of its mission, giving priority and focus to individuals kept furthest from opportunity to include (though not limited to): those who identify as women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, disabled, low-income, and other Washington residents adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. WJI provides job placement and wraparound support, such as transportation, childcare and resources supporting everyday expenses.
Job trends
Computing For All released a report on 2023 jobs data. The report found the majority of entry-level tech roles were in non-tech sectors. Of 12,000 entry-level tech jobs in Washington, 65 percent were in non-tech sectors. Overall, the positions with the highest number of postings were Software Developers and Computer Support Specialists.
The Washington Student Achievement Council identified 10 high-demand sectors for focus: Information Technology & Cybersecurity; Advanced Manufacturing & Aerospace; Clean Technology & Energy; Construction; Finance; Health Care; Life Science; Maritime; Education; Agriculture & Natural Resources.
Other partners
Other key partners in the WJI also include (listed alphabetically): CodeDay x MinT; Evergreen Goodwill; PNW Cyber Challenge Games; Per Scholas Seattle; Riipen/North Seattle College; Washington Technology Industry Association; Year Up Puget Sound; and more.
Sources:
“Launching the Washington Jobs Initiative.” Career Connect Washington (opens in a new window) online. March 4, 2024.
“The Coalition WJI Newsletter—Q1 2024.” Computing For All (opens in a new window) online. June 3, 2024.
“Washington Jobs Initiative—FAQ.” Washington Student Achievement Council (opens in a new window) online. July 12, 2023.
For more information about the IT degrees and training programs offered by the Washington State Community Colleges, please contact:
Brianna Rockenstire
Director
Center of Excellence for Information & Computing Technology
brianna.rockenstire@bellevuecollege.edu | 425.564.4229