Job Skills Program (JSP) Grant

43 Years of Impact

The Job Skills Program (JSP) – started in 1983 to enhance economic development through short-term customized training – is now 43 years old. From 2,256 employees trained in the biennium 1983-1985, the program has grown and trained more than 81,000 employees in Washington State. 

About the Program

Job Skills grants are distributed to all corners of the state, including rural areas. They primarily serve areas where: 

• There is a shortage of skilled labor to meet businesses’ needs 
• Upgrading employee skills is necessary to avoid layoffs 
• New businesses or industry clusters need a skilled labor pool 
• Communities struggle with high unemployment 

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges administers the Job Skills Program with guidance from an advisory committee made up of representatives from business, labor and public and private educational institutions. A subcommittee meets to review, provide input, and recommend applications for the grants. Representatives of the Department of Commerce and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board also participate in the review process. 

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. 

2026-27 Important Dates

2026-27 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.

• 2026-27 JSP Program and Fiscal Guidelines
• 2026-27 JSP Assurances
• Applicant Webinar Recording 
• Applicant Webinar Slide Presentation
• Questions & Answers - updated Apr. 23, 2026
• 2026-27 Trainee, Match, Courses, and Final Report spreadsheet

2025-2026 Important Dates

2025-26 Program Guidelines and Resources

• 2025-26 JSP Program and Fiscal Guidelines
• 2025-26 Trainee, Match, Courses, and Final Report spreadsheet (Updated Feb 2026) - 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.

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Impacts

Small Planet Supply

"Partnering with impact Washington and Clover Park Technical College has been a game changer for our company.  We've completed two rounds of training over the last two years, and it's moved our company ahead in ways that we could not have accomplished without expert help. As CEO of a new manufacturing company, I couldn't have imagined that we would have access to real-world expertise and feel fortunate that these programs are available. 
The JSP Grant enabled us to expand our operations and reach new markets that were previously out of scope. This funding has been a catalyst for innovation within our team, driving us to exceed our own expectations.
These training programs have also been instrumental in developing our team's skills in critical areas such as ERP systems, managing Bills of Materials (BOMs), time tracking, cost accounting, and level loading. By equipping our team with these capabilities, we have optimized our operations and enhanced our ability to meet customer demands efficiently. The hands-on guidance has not only strengthened our technical proficiency but also fostered a culture of continuous improvement within the organization." - Albert Rooks, CEO

The primary objective of this project is to equip employees with essential skills in defining business objectives, developing implementation strategies, managing organizational change, and participating in leadership training as part of a comprehensive learning program. Additionally, the initiative seeks to assess and enhance operational data flow within the ERP system, empowering employees to establish a robust "future state" for their operations. Employing a co-management approach will ensure effective transfer of knowledge, while collaboratively developed, targeted goals will be systematically communicated across the organization to promote transparency and trust. Ultimately, this project aims to drive business improvement by addressing key areas such as material costs, labor efficiency, on-time delivery, capacity expansion, and reduction of process variability.

Notable outcomes include:

• Completed 7,123 training hours for 16 employees.
• Hired two new employees.
• Reduced turnover rate from 25% to 5%.
• Increased wages by 7%.
• Work in Process (WIP) increased from 4 to 6 pieces per month.
• Increased throughput from 48 to 64 items/year.
• Increased sales from $110K to $800K per quarter.

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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
• 2023-25 Job Skills biennial report

Reports from prior years are available upon request.