Workforce Development Sustainability Task Force

Task Force Goals

The goal of the Workforce Development Program Sustainability Task Force is to find viable, sustainable funding solutions for the on-going success of the Seattle Maritime Academy, Apparel Development & Design, Wood Technology Center, and Seattle Culinary Academy through collaborations among legislators, industry, and the college. 

The task force also seeks to evaluate each program's offerings to ensure program outcomes meet industry needs and to ensure Seattle Central promotes equity and fosters a diverse community. 

Timeline of Events

Spring 2022

Seattle Central announced that four workforce programs would be considered for closure due to budget constraints at the college. After further investigation, discussion and community feedback, closure decisions were paused while further solutions for sustainable funding were pursued.

Summer 2022

Rep. Vandana Slatter, Chair of the House College & Workforce Development Committee, initiated a Workforce Development Program Sustainability Task Force. The task force is co-chaired by Representative Frank Chopp and Chair of the Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees Louise Chernin. On July 27, 2022, the first workforce sustainability task force met at the Health Education Center to look at the issue of sustainable funding for community college workforce programs statewide.

Fall 2022

The Workforce Development Program Sustainability Task Force hosted site visits at the Seattle Maritime Academy on September 7, Apparel Design & Development on September 15, Wood Technology Center on September 21 and Seattle Culinary Academy on September 28.

At each site visit, multiple Washington state legislators and between 30 and 50 community and industry partners met for a working session aimed at generating sustainable funding solutions for workforce education at Seattle Central as well as across the state.

Recurrent conversation topics include:

• Strategies for student recruitment and community engagement with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Resources that community and industry can bring to each workforce education program
• Recommended legislative and policy changes that support workforce education
• Additional program-specific strategies the college should consider pursuing for program sustainability

Winter 2023

As a direct result of Central's Workforce Development Program Sustainability Task Force, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges has requested $77 million to support and sustain workforce programs across the state. The proposed 2023-2025 budget request aims to mitigate inflation and the high costs associated with small class sizes, specialized equipment, and consumable materials required by workforce programs. More information on the State Board of Community and Technical College system workforce investment request.

If approved, Seattle Colleges would receive $8.1 million from this funding stream, of which $2 million would be allocated to Seattle Central. Currently, the governor's budget proposes $60 million in additional workforce funding statewide.

Spring 2023

While legislators did not approve the additional $77 million to sustain workforce programs across the state in the final 2023-2025 biennial budget, Seattle Central did receive support for the Seattle Maritime Academy, including $855,000 that will support operational costs as the college expands a new partnership with Washington State Ferries. This partnership will deepen pathways for women and people of color to the ferries and maritime industry.

Seattle Central announced that the college will enter the 2023-2024 academic year with a balanced budget. This means Seattle Central will continue to enroll students for all programs on an ongoing basis, including the four workforce programs previously under consideration for closure last year. There are no plans to close any of the college's workforce programs going forward.

Next Steps

Each of the four workforce programs at Central have developed a business plan that incorporates external funding, community and industry partnerships, and internal redesigns to create a sustainable funding plan for the future. The decision making process will conclude in June 2023. Expect periodic updates to this website. See below for more details on each program's business plan.