Workforce Development Funds

Update

For fiscal year 2026–27, the Workforce Development Fund, Invest in Washington, and High Demand Enrollment Funds will use a single, consolidated application. Each college may submit only one application covering all three funding sources. Please refer to the Program Guidelines for details on each fund, including deadlines, required attachments, and review criteria.

About the Workforce Development Funds

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) is committed to helping industry thrive and expand in Washington State and to continue the development of a skilled workforce. The allocated resources will support the continued alignment of education and training programs with current industry practice and employee recruitment needs.

This funding is to support one-time projects that are necessary to meet changing needs and expectations of industry and/or prospective students, or to support local workforce and economic development initiatives. Successful proposals will do one or more of the following:

• Support the transition, redesign, or adjustment of workforce education and training programs to meet the changing needs and expectations of industry (e.g., new competencies, articulation agreements, career pathways, competency-based credentials, badging/micro-credentials, new technology, etc.);
• Support the transition, redesign, or adjustment of instructional programs to meet changing needs and expectations of prospective students for how instructional programs are delivered (e.g., hybrid, remote, virtual, asynchronous);
• Create, support, or streamline local workforce and economic development initiatives; and/or
• Support and expand workforce development partnerships among employers, education and training providers, and workers.

Who may apply:

• Public community and technical colleges, as defined under RCW 28B.50.030, and Centers of Excellence (COE), as codified under RCW 28B.50.902, may apply for funding.
• Colleges may submit only one application as an individual institution or as the lead institution of a consortium.
• Applications are allowed from both a Center of Excellence (COE) and, separately, from their host college.
• Applications from a COE should be in a separate OGMS application, but submitted through its host college.
  • While a COE can submit applications separately, and colleges may participate in more than one consortium, the review panel will be cautious about awarding funding for multiple projects to one institution.

Invest in Washington

Invest in Washington funding has been added to the Workforce Development Fund to meet the specifications of the Invest in Washington Account, RCW 82.85.070. Preference points will be given to projects designed to accomplish one or more of the priorities specific to manufacturing and production occupations: customized training, job skills, job readiness training, workforce professional development, and/or to assist employers with state-approved registered apprenticeship programs specifically for manufacturing and production occupations.

2026-27 Important dates

2026-27 Program Guidelines and Resources

• Resources and Guidelines will be added closer to application  available date.

2025-26 Important dates

2025-26 Program Guidelines and Resources

• 2025-26 Workforce Development Funds Guidelines
• Assurances
• Budget and Equipment List (single applicant)
• Budget and Equipment List (consortium)
• Application Webinar Recording
• Application Webinar Slides
• Application Questions and Answers

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Impacts

Reimagining Medical Assistant Education

Highline College used Workforce Development Funds to revitalize its Medical Assistant program in response to declining enrollment and low retention and completion rates. Despite offering training for high-demand, high-wage careers, the program faced challenges due to asynchronous course delivery, outdated equipment, and gaps in student support.

In a nutshell, the project resulted in:

• Increased student enrollment and retention
• Redevelopment of course curriculum
• Successful implementation of a new cohort model
• Acquisition of culturally responsive training equipment
• Provision of peer navigation to assist students with digital technology and campus services
• Expanded outreach and recruitment efforts (example, information sessions).

Notable achievements include:

Increased Enrollment

• 14.4% enrollment increase
• Total headcount for Medical Assistant AAS and Certificate as follows: Fall 2024 (90 students), Winter 2025 (99 students), and Spring 2025 (103 students)

Outreach and Recruitment

• Developed and delivered multiple student meetings, both online and in person, inviting students across campus, including English Language, Career and Academic Prep (ELCAP), and members of the community.
• Created fact sheets, rack cards, coloring sheets, video scripts, and other recruitment materials in English and Spanish.

Peer Navigation

• Implemented “Peer Navigation” for students enrolled in the Medical Assistant program to support their understanding of technology and campus services, and to prepare them for success.
• Freed faculty time to focus on instruction and student advising.

Equipment and Supply Purchases

• Purchased low-fidelity healthcare simulation equipment to better align MA training with real-world clinical experiences and patient interactions.
• Reported the updates at the spring Highline Equity Action Lab (HEAL) Advisory Committee meeting, receiving approval and praise from committee members.

Leverages Resources

• Successfully coordinated efforts across departments - Grant Team, Academic Affairs, Communications and Marketing, Information Technology Services, Institutional Advancement, Instructional Planning and Budgets, and Workforce Partnerships and Extended Learning - to maximize project impact.