More than 30 funded projects will strengthen job skills

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) recently awarded 35 Job Skills Program (JSP) grants to support customized workforce training projects across Washington state. These grants to local community and technical colleges help employers strengthen workforce skills, improve competitiveness, and respond to evolving industry needs.

The 2026–27 funding cycle generated the largest volume of applications in the program's more than 40-year history. SBCTC received 52 grant proposals requesting more than $12 million in funding. Available funding allowed SBCTC to award funding to 35 of the 52 proposed projects. In total, SBCTC awarded nearly $8 million in grants supporting workforce training projects statewide.

"The record demand we saw this year underscores the need for continued investment in workforce training," said Carolyn McKinnon, policy associate with SBCTC. "Washington employers continue to identify opportunities to strengthen workforce skills, adopt new technologies, and maintain market competitiveness. These grants help employers and educational institutions work together to address those needs.”

Manufacturers received the largest share of awards, which reflects continued demand for training in advanced manufacturing technologies, process improvement, and position-specific skills. Additional awards include social and health services, financial services, and other sectors critical to Washington's economy.

JSP is Washington state's premier incumbent worker training grant program and administered by SBCTC. JSP provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants that support customized, short-term, job-specific training for employers and delivered by Washington's community and technical colleges and other partners. The projects are expected to strengthen workforce retention, support career advancement opportunities for employees, and improve business performance.

Participating businesses and colleges

  • D&L Foundry, Inc. – Big Bend Community College
  • Crane Aerospace and Electronics – Cascadia College
  • Silver Star Industries Consortium – Clark College
  • Wilcox Farms – Clover Park Technical College (CPTC)
  • Simpson Door Company – CPTC
  • Korean Women's Association – CPTC
  • Brown and Haley – CPTC
  • Diamond Foundry I LLC – CPTC
  • Concept Reality – CPTC
  • Precision Machine Works Inc – CPTC
  • Venus Laboratories, Inc., DBA Earth Friendly Products – CPTC
  • Vulcan Metals Corp. – CPTC
  • SeaCast, Inc. - Edmonds College
  • Skills, Inc. – Green River College (GRC)
  • Tribal Gaming Consortium – GRC
  • MicroSurgical Technology – GRC
  • Pioneer Human Services/Pioneer Industries – GRC
  • Dylan Manufacturing, Inc. – GRC
  • Tri-Tec Manufacturing, LLC. – GRC
  • DockStar Thrusters, LLC – Olympic College
  • MagniX – Peninsula College
  • Lean Six Sigma Consortium – Seattle College District
  • Women's Leadership Consortium – Seattle College District
  • QA Group LLC – Seattle College District
  • Lunar Tides – Seattle College District
  • Skagit Woolen Works – Skagit Valley College (SVC)
  • NW Washington Manufacturing Consortium – SVC
  • Aalbu Brothers, LLC – SVC
  • Strengthening Skagit’s Manufacturing Workforce Consortium – SVC
  • Morel Industries, Inc – SVC
  • Absolute Manufacturing, LLC – SVC
  • Seaport Steel – Spokane District Office
  • JetSeal – Spokane District Office
  • Meter Group – Spokane District Office
  • Alliance Machine Systems International, LLC – Spokane District Office

While demand for JSP funding exceeded available resources this cycle, employers still have options to invest in employee technical skills development. Companies are encouraged to explore Washington's Customized Training Program (CTP), which provides an alternative pathway for employers seeking customized employee training. Through CTP, employers can partner with Washington's community and technical colleges to access workforce training supported by a low-interest training loan and associated tax credit benefits.

Together, JSP and CTP provide Washington employers with flexible tools to build workforce skills and support business growth.

For more information about these programs, visit the our Job Skills Program page.