Job Skills Program (JSP) Grant

Update

Note: The FY26 round 1 grant applications are now closed. We will conduct a funding survey in October to assess the possibility of allocating additional funds to projects.

40 Years of Impact

The Job Skills Program (JSP) – started in 1983 to enhance economic development through short-term customized training – is now 40 years old. From 2,256 employees trained in the biennium 1983-1985, the program has grown and trained more than 75,000 employees in Washington State.

For the biennium 2021-2023, JSP awarded grants to 126 projects and, in partnership with community colleges, completed training for 8,163 employees. The graphs below describe the businesses that benefited from JSP funding.

JSP Grant Distribution across Washington State

Size of Businesses Served by JSP Grants for FY 21-23

 

Grants by Industry for FY 21-23

The industry count is based on the best match for businesses participating in each project. For consortia projects, the industry count is based on the business partner with the biggest number of employees.

The manufacturing sector is composed of businesses engaged in aerospace, food production and processing, wood/paper products production, naval, high tech, auto, composites, marine, transportation, medical devices, chemicals, electronics, pharmaceutical, and handbags production.

Non-manufacturing related include businesses in agriculture, construction, retail/wholesale, hospitals and medical services, environmental services, gaming and hospitality, and non-profit. 

The program awards grants to licensed educational institutions in Washington. JSP funds half of the training cost. Partner employers provide cash or in-kind match to fund the other half.

Funds are awarded on a first-approved, rolling basis throughout the fiscal year. Applications are reviewed by a standing sub-committee of the Workforce Training Customer Advisory Committee.

Impacts

nLight

“The Lean Enterprise Certification Program and Training with Industry courses brought into focus what needs immediate attention and helped guide employees to reevaluate processes that have been long accepted as the norm but may have better alternatives. Employees feel more efficient and better organized because of the training." - Jeff Powell, Director of Operations

This training program aimed to improve nLight’s transition to a Lean business environment by enhancing employees’ skills and creating a culture of continuous improvement and practices. This training was needed to help nLight address changes and growth opportunities in the company.  Notable outcomes include:

• Completed 372 training hours for 32 employees.
• 32 total Lean certifications achieved.
• Reduced lead time from 51 days to seven days.
• 25% improvement in labor costs.

---

---

2025-2026

Important Dates

2023-2025

Important Dates

2025-26 Program Guidelines and Resources

The following documents provide detailed information about how grant funds can be used, who can apply, the application process and deadlines.

• 2025-26 JSP Program and Fiscal Guidelines
• 2025-26 JSP Assurances
• 2025-26 Trainee, Match, Course, and Outcomes Spreadsheet
• Applicant Webinar Recording
• Applicant Webinar Slides
• Application Questions and Answers

2024-25 Program Guidelines and Resources

The following documents provide detailed information about how grant funds can be used, who can apply, the application process and deadlines.

• 2024-25 JSP Program Guidelines
• 2024-25 JSP Fiscal Guidelines
• 2024-25 JSP Assurances
• Applicant Webinar Recording
• Applicant Webinar Slides
• Application Questions and Answers

Final Grant Report

A final report summarizing the outcomes(s) for this grant is required of all JSP projects. Reports must be uploaded in OGMS to the "Attachments" section of each approved grant application. See the list of important dates for deadlines.

• 2023-25 Trainee, Match, Courses, and Final Report spreadsheet

Reports to Legislature

Job Skills Program reports are submitted by the State Board for Community and Technical colleges to the Washington State Legislature in fulfillment of RCW 28C.04.420 Job skills program — Grants — Reports.

• 2023-25 Job Skills progress report
• 2021-23 Job Skills biennial report
• 2019-21 Job Skills biennial report

Reports from prior years are available upon request.