Workforce Southwest Washington

What Workforce Southwest Washington does

Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 and federally designated under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) as the Local Workforce Development Board for Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties in Southwest Washington. Headquartered in Vancouver, WA, WSW operates as a public-sector intermediary rather than a commercial vendor: its mission is to invest federal, state, and private workforce funds into employer services and job-seeker programs rather than to sell a product. The organization serves two principal populations — businesses (providing no-cost recruitment, screening, on-the-job training with 50% wage reimbursement, customized training, internships, and apprenticeships) and job seekers (adults seeking employment, dislocated workers, and young adults ages 16–24) — through a portfolio of branded programs including WorkSource career centers in Vancouver and Kelso, NEXT Success, SummerWorks, Future Leaders Project, and industry-specific sector initiatives covering Manufacturing, Healthcare, Construction, and Clean Energy.

WSW's underlying technology stack is operational rather than proprietary: it runs on the federally mandated WorkSource/American Job Center network, supplemented by the Launchpad training management platform (with LinkedIn Learning integration and document management) and Jobs EQ labor market analytics for occupational forecasting and wage/demographic data. Core technology supports workforce program delivery, training administration, and regional labor market intelligence rather than a standalone software product. Revenue mechanics are grant-driven: WSW's Program Year 2023 operating budget was $8.5M with 92% flowing to community contracted services, funded 79% by federal sources (primarily U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Title I-B grants), 17.8% by state funding, 2% by private sources, and 0.01% by local government. All services are provided at no cost to businesses and individuals.

WSW distributes services through a partnership-driven ecosystem spanning the Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative (CWWC) with Clackamas Workforce Partnership and Worksystems, two WorkSource centers, community colleges (Clark College, Lower Columbia College, WSU Vancouver), labor unions, economic development councils, and community-based organizations such as Partners in Careers. Since founding, WSW has secured and invested more than $142.5M in the tri-county region, serves roughly 2,100 participants annually (Clark 1,540; Cowlitz 548; Wahkiakum 19 in PY23-24), and operates with a lean staff of approximately 14. The organization's 2025–2029 Strategic Plan emphasizes equitable economic mobility, business growth support, and community connection, while it currently navigates a CEO transition with Darcy Hoffman appointed Interim CEO in June 2026 following Miriam Halliday's announced departure.

Name

Workforce Southwest Washington

Legal name

Workforce Southwest Washington

Website

https://workforcesw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Workforce Southwest Washington is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and federally designated Local Workforce Development Board under WIOA, serving Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties by funding and delivering no-cost employment, training, and business services through the WorkSource network and regional partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Employment Services (5613), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development, Employment Readiness & Job Placement (BPADAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM), Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Employment training programs
• Job seeker services
• Business recruitment support
• WIOA workforce board

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal WIOA Grants: Primary funding from U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Title I-B grants for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs. WIOA Adult & Dislocated Worker program receives $3,058,191; WIOA Youth program receives $1,641,642 for Program Year 2026.
2. State EcSA Funding: Economic Security for All (EcSA) program receives state funding of $313,236 plus federal WIOA funds of $230,551 for Program Year 2026. Supports poverty reduction initiatives through Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, and Clark counties.
3. National Dislocated Worker Grants: Intel Employment Recovery NDWG grant of $289,784 for period February 2026 - June 2027 to support laid-off workers in high-tech sector.
4. EDA Recovery Plan Funding: Washington Jobs Initiative receives $920,000 from U.S. Economic Development Administration American Recovery Plan for period January 2024 - September 2026.
5. Public-Private Partnership Funding: Combines public workforce funds with private sector investments and county contributions to maximize workforce development impact across the tri-county region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Workforce Southwest Washington is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Local Workforce Development Board that invests federal, state, and private funds into employment, training, and education programs across Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties. It connects job seekers with employers through WorkSource career centers, NEXT Success youth center, and SummerWorks, while providing businesses with no-cost recruitment, screening, on-the-job training wage reimbursements (50%), apprenticeships, and customized training solutions.

Product overview

Workforce Southwest Washington operates as a portfolio of workforce development services organized around industry sectors and population segments. The core offerings include Coordinated Business Services (recruitment, training, apprenticeships, and business consulting), the Quality Jobs Initiative (regional quality employment standards), and industry-specific programs for Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, and Clean Energy. For job seekers, services are delivered through Adult Investments via WorkSource centers (job search, training, supportive services) and Young Adult Investments through NEXT Success, SummerWorks, and the Future Leaders Project internship program. The organization funds employment and training programs rather than selling a software product, functioning as a workforce investment board under WIOA legislation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cascadia Manufacturing Network (CMN): An industry-led, community-supported partnership advancing the future of manufacturing across Southwest Washington and the Portland metro area. Originally launched as the Columbia-Willamette Manufacturing Partnership under the Next Generation Sector Strategy model.
• WorkSource
• NEXT Success
• Future Leaders Project (FLP)
• Quality Jobs Initiative
• SummerWorks

Products and services

• Coordinated Business Services A comprehensive suite of no-cost workforce services for employers including recruitment, screening, assessment, 50% on-the-job training wage reimbursement, internship hosting, apprenticeship programs, customized training solutions, and business counseling across Southwest Washington.
• Quality Jobs Initiative A regional public-private coalition initiative creating quality jobs in the Portland-Southwest Washington Metro area, focused on self-sufficiency wages, workplace safety, worker engagement, comprehensive benefits, predictable scheduling, accessible hiring, and training advancement opportunities.
• Clean Energy Sector Program An industry-specific workforce program focused on clean, renewable and sustainable energy sectors including wind, solar, hydropower, and electric/hydrogen vehicle infrastructure, supporting clean energy building and construction careers in Southwest Washington.
• Construction Workforce Program An industry-specific workforce program providing labor market reports, workforce planning, regional industry panels, apprenticeship pathways, and strategies to address demand for skilled tradespeople in the construction sector across Southwest Washington.
• Healthcare Workforce Program An industry-specific workforce program providing labor market reports, workforce planning, and quarterly industry panels addressing employment needs in medical, dental, behavioral health, and long-term care sectors across Southwest Washington.
• Manufacturing Workforce Program An industry-specific workforce program supporting regional manufacturers through the Cascadia Manufacturing Network, an industry-led partnership with four action teams focused on talent, image/marketing, B2B connection, and advocacy.
• Future Leaders Project A paid summer internship partnership with WSU Vancouver and the Columbia River Economic Development Council connecting employers with college students for 200-hour internships at a minimum of $19 per hour, providing professional experience and recruitment opportunities.
• Adult Investments (WorkSource Services) Free employment and training services for adults delivered through WorkSource career centers in Vancouver and Kelso, including job search assistance, on-the-job training, internships, skill development, supportive services (transportation, childcare, work clothing), and connection to higher education.
• Young Adult Investments Programs helping young adults aged 16-24 obtain a GED or high school diploma, learn job skills, and enter college or employment, including the NEXT Success center and SummerWorks paid summer jobs program.
• Economic Security for All (EcSA) A local poverty reduction program partnering with social service organizations to help individuals move from poverty into careers through customized career plans, wrap-around services, and connection to higher education across Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, and Clark counties.
• Youth Employment Summit (YES) An annual career exploration fair and first-jobs hiring event introducing young adults to companies in high-growth industries with hands-on learning activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than $142.5 million invested in regional workforce development since 2002
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• Career Path Services Employment and TrainingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Contracted One-Stop Operator (OSO) for American Job Centers (WorkSource Vancouver and WorkSource Kelso). Contract approved September 2025 for October 2025 - September 2026. Provides career and employment services to job seekers.
• NEXT Careers ConsortiumcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Consortium of WIOA Youth service providers including Career Path Services and Partners in Careers. Approved by WSW Board March 2023 for July 2023 - June 2026. Serves young adults 16-24 across Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties.
• Quality Jobs CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Cross-sectoral council with 19 participants representing businesses, workers, labor, service providers, and government agencies in Portland-Southwest Washington Metro area. Developed Quality Jobs Framework adopted by CWWC boards.
• Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative (CWWC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Partnership between WSW, Clackamas Workforce Partnership, and Worksystems delivering unified approach to serve businesses, support economic development, and guide workforce investments across the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Area. Spans 6 counties across Washington and Oregon. Has secured nearly $60 million in competitive workforce funding.
• Clackamas Workforce PartnershipflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development board for Clackamas County, Oregon. Partners with WSW through CWWC to deliver cross-state workforce services and coordinate regional workforce investments.
• WorksystemsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce Development Board for Portland and Multnomah/Washington counties in Oregon. CWWC partner providing unified approach to workforce development across the metropolitan region.
• Partners in CareerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWIOA Youth service provider within NEXT Careers Consortium, providing employment and training services to young adults in the region.
• Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development partner in Future Leaders Project, collaborating with WSW and WSU Vancouver to provide paid summer internships connecting employers with college students.
• Washington State University Vancouver (WSU Vancouver)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner in Future Leaders Project providing internship opportunities for WSU Vancouver students. Bill Stahley serves as Employer Engagement Coordinator in Career Action Center.
• Clark CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity college partner providing education and training services. Part of system locations where career and employment services funded by WSW are offered.
• Lower Columbia CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity college partner in Cowlitz County providing education and training services as part of WSW-funded service delivery network.
• Cascadia Manufacturing Network (CMN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-led, community-supported partnership advancing manufacturing across Southwest Washington and Portland metro area. Four Action Teams: Talent, Image/Marketing, B2B Connection, and Advocacy (on pause). Led by regional manufacturers.
• Local and Regional Economic Development AgenciessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner category including economic development councils at county and regional level (e.g., Columbia River Economic Development Council, Cowlitz Economic Development Council) that collaborate on workforce initiatives.
• Chambers of CommercesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional chamber partnerships including Greater Vancouver Chamber, Southwest Washington Contractors Association, and others supporting workforce development initiatives and employer engagement.
• Organized LaborsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union partnerships including IBEW, SMART Local #16 Sheet Metal Workers, and Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council. Labor representatives on WSW Board of Directors and participate in workforce planning.
• WorkSourcecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFederally-mandated American Job Center network providing no-cost employment services. WSW funds WorkSource operators to deliver career coaching, job search assistance, training, and placement services.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce training and career pathways for young adults. Comparable as a larger-scope youth employment and training nonprofit with similar mission focus, though operating at national scale rather than as a regional board.
• Oregon Workforce Partnership: Statewide association of Oregon's nine workforce development boards. Comparable as a broader umbrella organization that supports LWDBs, which WSW engages with through the Oregon-side CWWC partners.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit network providing workforce development, job training, and employment services. Comparable as a large-scale nonprofit workforce services provider, with local Goodwill affiliates sometimes partnering with WIOA-funded boards including WSW.
• Washington Workforce Association: Statewide association representing Washington's WIOA workforce development boards. Comparable as a peer network organization that convenes Washington LWDBs including WSW.

Direct peers

• Worksystems: Workforce Development Board for Portland and Multnomah/Washington counties in Oregon. Directly comparable as a WIOA-designated LWDB that co-leads the Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative with WSW, serving similar employers and job seekers in an adjacent metro area.
• Workforce Snohomish: Workforce Development Council serving Snohomish County, Washington. Comparable as a Washington-state LWDB operating a comparable mix of WIOA-funded adult, youth, and business services with similar industry sector priorities.
• WorkForce Central: Workforce Development Board serving Pierce County, Washington. Comparable as another Washington-state WIOA-designated LWDB delivering similar WorkSource-funded employment and training services across a similar suburban-county footprint.
• Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County: WIOA-designated LWDB for Seattle-King County, Washington. Comparable as a similarly structured regional workforce board delivering WIOA-funded employment services, though operating in a larger urban geography with a more tech-driven employer base.
• Spokane Workforce Development Council: Workforce Development Council serving the Spokane region of Eastern Washington. Comparable as a Washington-state WIOA LWDB delivering similar industry-focused sector strategies and youth/adult employment programs in a different regional economy.
• Clackamas Workforce Partnership: 501(c)(3) workforce development board for Clackamas County, Oregon. Comparable as a similarly structured regional workforce board and the third CWWC partner alongside WSW, operating across a comparable population base with aligned programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/workforcesw
• Facebookfacebook.com/workforcesw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/workforcesw
• Instagraminstagram.com/cascadiamfgnetwork
• Xx.com/workforceswwa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Workforce Southwest Washington