Spokane Workforce Council

10/14/2026

It’s here! The Access Spokane Job & Resource Fair is TODAY.

Wednesday, October 14
1:00 to 4:00 PM
CenterPlace Regional Event Center, Spokane Valley

Connect face to face with 46 employers and resource providers, many of them actively hiring. Whether you’re looking for your next job, exploring career options, or learning about supports in our community, there’s a place for you here.

Also happening today:
Free workshops in Room 110 at 1:30, 2:15, and 3:00
Translation services available
Resource providers ready to help with employment supports, training, and more

Bring a few copies of your resume, and bring a friend! Everyone is welcome.

We’re proud to host this event in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. See you this afternoon!

Thank you to our sponsors Spokane County and Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest

10/13/2026

When families can't find or afford childcare, parents step back from work and employers lose the talent they need. Access to affordable early learning is a key driver of the health of our regional labor market.

That's why Spokane Workforce Council took a closer look at early learning in our region. Our new research explores the needs of providers across our region and offers recommendations for sustainability. It also maps out early learning career pathways and the entry points to a meaningful career that supports families and our economy.

We've also launched a new early learning page with the findings, data, and a look at our work in this space over the past three years.

Explore the research: spokaneworkforce.org/early-learning

This work was made possible with Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the City of Spokane - Municipal Government. We're also grateful to the Northwest Business Development Association (NWBDA) for their consistent support of our early learning work. For a full list of our supporters and partners, visit the page above.

10/12/2026

Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the rich history, cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous communities.

At the Spokane Workforce Council, we are grateful to live and work on the traditional lands of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and we extend our respect to Native peoples throughout our region and across the United States.

10/08/2026

Economic development and workforce development are two sides of the same equation.

As Spokane County works to grow key industries, we also have to ask: do we have the talent to support that growth?

In his latest CEO blog, Kevin Williams shares how Spokane Workforce Council is bringing together the county's four Chambers of Commerce and three Public Development Authorities to align around shared priorities, from strengthening talent pipelines to connecting businesses with workforce resources.

No single organization can do this alone.

Learn more: https://spokaneworkforce.org/announcements/where-workforce-development-meets-economic-development/

10/05/2026

We're proud to share some exciting news: Spokane Workforce Council is now the fiscal sponsor for the Inland Northwest Early Learning Alliance (INWELA)!

For nearly four years, we've been a member of INWELA. We joined to stay connected to the early learning community and to make sure our work keeps listening and responding to what local families and providers truly need. That partnership has shaped how we show up for our region.

Now we're honored to support the Alliance in a new way. INWELA is a powerful, independent voice for children and families, connecting community organizations, lifting up projects identified by families in our region, partnering with state and local agencies, bringing regional input to the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC), and engaging policymakers on the issues that matter most.

We view our role as a simple one: help clear the path so this vital work can keep growing. When early learning thrives, families thrive, and so does our whole community. 💛

Learn more about INWELA and how to get involved: https://inwela.org/

Stay connected to SWC’s work in the Early Learning Space by clicking here: https://spokaneworkforce.org/early-learning/

09/30/2026

We are officially two weeks out from Access Spokane!

On Wednesday, October 14, job seekers with disabilities are invited to the Access Spokane Job and Resource Fair at CenterPlace Regional Event Center in Spokane Valley. Held in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, this free event brings together over 45 local employers and resource providers who are ready to connect, answer questions about workplace accommodations, and talk about open positions.

Date: Wednesday, October 14
Time: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley
Website: accessspokane.org

Thank you to Spokane County, our event sponsor, and Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest, our Refresh & Recharge sponsor.

Know someone who should be there? Please share this post and help us spread the word.

Learn more: https://spokaneworkforce.org/announcements/access-spokane-job-and-resource-fair-invites-job-seekers-to-centerplace-on-october-14/?_thumbnail_id=19885

Spokane Workforce Council Contact: Bianka DeSure [email protected] For Immediate Release: Spokane, WA – September 28, 2026 – Job seekers are invited to the Access Spokane Job and Resource Fair on Wednesday, October 14, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426....

09/29/2026

Please join us in welcoming Max Baca to the Spokane Workforce Council Board of Directors!

Max serves as Vice President for Business and Strategy at Eastern Washington University and brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education leadership, financial stewardship, and government relations.

He has built a career on bringing education, employers, and government together around shared goals, and he has created real pathways for future leaders along the way. We're excited to have his perspective as we work to strengthen the Spokane County workforce.

Read more about Max: https://spokaneworkforce.org/announcements/spokane-workforce-council-welcomes-max-baca-to-its-board-of-directors/

09/28/2026

Please join us in congratulating two milestones at Spokane Workforce Council!

We are celebrating Kim on 3 years with SWC. As our Grants Manager, Kim plays a key role in securing and stewarding the resources that make our work in the community possible. Her attention to detail and commitment to our mission strengthen everything we do.

We are also celebrating Maliek on 2 years with SWC. Maliek brings dedication and energy to our team every day, and we are grateful for the impact he has made on the people and partners we serve.

Thank you both for your hard work and for helping build a stronger workforce in Spokane County. Here's to many more years together!

09/25/2026

Yesterday, the Community Access & Support Network (CASN) came together for our quarterly meeting.

CASN brings community partners, service providers, and people with lived experience together to strengthen access to employment and support services across Spokane County. This session focused on building the foundation for how our network works together:

We introduced our Local Advisory Team (LAT) and talked through the role they will play in guiding this committee.

We reviewed up-to-date performance data from the WorkSource Spokane Campus, including progress on the Community Reinvestment Plan, participant incentives, and EcSA.

Members revisited our purpose statement and rolled up their sleeves for a group activity to begin redesigning the CASN charter.

We closed with Policy Pulse and partner updates, sharing news on state and federal policy changes, new grant initiatives, and upcoming community events and services.

Thank you to those that continue to show up for this work.

09/24/2026

Today we reconvened the HR1 Regional Alignment Meeting, bringing together partners from across our region to continue preparing our community for the upcoming changes to Medicaid.

At our last meeting, we identified where our collective efforts are most urgently needed. The group agreed that our first priority is to unify our messaging to the community at large. When community members hear clear, consistent information from every partner they turn to, they are better equipped to understand what is changing and what steps they may need to take.

Today's work built on that priority. Through a group activity, we began shaping a shared community communication plan by exploring three key questions: Who needs to know? What do they need to know? How do we reach them?

We are deeply grateful to the partners who continue to show up, share their expertise, and work alongside us to figure this out together. This kind of alignment takes time and commitment, and we could not do it without you.