Job Skills Program (JSP) Grant

Update

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

42 Years of Impact

The Job Skills Program (JSP) – started in 1983 to enhance economic development through short-term customized training – is now 42 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. 

Impacts

Heritage Distilling Company, Inc.

“The OSHA safety and forklift classes have provided new and certified skills for our team. The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) optimization has streamlined the inventory and forecasting process. The project management course helped change the way we define and implement new projects." - Wendy Flick, CCO

This second JSP grant was designed to tackle some of the company's current and foreseeable challenges. Outside instruction was needed due to the opening of new locations, the addition of new staff, and the need to upskill staff they already had. Employees were trained in infrastructure and expansion, OSHA 10, production planning, project management, supply chain inventory management, systems and operations assessment, and use of a forklift. Notable outcomes include:

• Completed 860 training hours for 38 employees.
• Promoted more than six employees.
• Trained five employees to become forklift trainers and completed 10 OSHA 10 trainings.
• Reduced 10 accidents per year to two per year.

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2025-2026

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

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.

• 2025-26 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

Reports from prior years are available upon request.