Washington Workforce Association
Washington Workforce Association is a nonprofit membership organization that coordinates Washington's 12 Local Workforce Development Boards, administering workforce training, poverty-reduction, and community reinvestment programs for job seekers, small businesses, and employers statewide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersOlympia, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Washington Workforce Association does
Washington Workforce Association (WWA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Olympia, Washington. It serves as the umbrella association for the state's 12 Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs), coordinating workforce investments and policy across urban and rural regions including Seattle, Spokane, Yakima, and surrounding areas. WWA's portfolio centers on three interconnected initiatives: the Economic Security for All (EcSA) poverty-reduction program (launched 2019 and later codified into state law), the Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) with equity-focused funding for Black, Latine, and Tribal communities, and supporting modules including Career Accelerator Incentives, Matched Individual Savings Accounts (MISA), and Business Investment Grants. The organization also delivers Business Solutions services for employers and hosts an annual Fall Conference.
The underlying technology stack is administrative rather than product-driven: virtual service delivery is conducted through the WorkSource WA platform and Zoom-based webinars, with no proprietary software products, APIs, or AI/ML components disclosed. Service delivery relies on a distributed human network of LWDB staff, community-based organizations (e.g., Economic Justice Alliance, Washington Build Back Black Alliance), and state agency partners (Employment Security Department, Department of Commerce, WorkSource offices).
WWA's business model is that of a publicly funded nonprofit association: revenue is derived from membership dues paid by LWDBs and from state and federal workforce appropriations, not commercial contracts. There is no disclosed pricing for end services because job seekers, small businesses, and employers access programs through publicly funded channels. Leadership comprises Executive Director John Traugott (appointed October 2023) and Board Chair Amy Martinez (CEO of South Central Workforce). The organization employs 251–500 people across the WWA central body and its affiliated boards.
Washington Workforce Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Washington Workforce Association
- Legal name
- Washington Workforce Association
- Website
- https://washingtonworkforce.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Washington Workforce Association is a nonprofit membership organization that coordinates Washington's 12 Local Workforce Development Boards, administering workforce training, poverty-reduction, and community reinvestment programs for job seekers, small businesses, and employers statewide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Washington Workforce Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Dislocated Worker & Rapid Response / Reemployment Programs (EDAAAOAF)
Keywords
Where Washington Workforce Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Olympia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Washington Workforce Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership dues and state funding: WWA operates as a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization of the Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDB) of Washington State, funded through membership dues and public sector appropriations for workforce development initiatives.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Washington Workforce Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Washington Workforce Association (WWA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization of Washington's 12 Local Workforce Development Boards that coordinates statewide workforce development investments and administers programs such as Economic Security for All (EcSA) and the Community Reinvestment Program (CRP). It provides advocacy, training coordination, business solutions for employers, and direct financial supports (Career Accelerator Incentives, Matched Individual Savings Accounts, Business Investment Grants) to job seekers and small businesses, with a priority focus on Black, Latine, and Tribal communities.
Product overview
Washington Workforce Association (WWA) is a nonprofit membership organization of Local Workforce Development Boards that provides a portfolio of interconnected workforce development programs. The core offerings include the Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) for equity-focused economic development and the Economic Security for All (EcSA) poverty reduction initiative. Supporting modules include Career Accelerator Incentives for direct participant financial support, Matched Individual Savings Accounts (MISA) for financial empowerment, and Business Support/Business Investment Grants for small business development. The organization also offers Business Solutions services for employers and hosts an annual Fall Conference.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) Statewide equity-focused workforce and economic development program providing small business grants, Business Investment Grants, Matched Investment Savings Accounts, and direct participant financial supports. Administered in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce and delivered through local workforce development boards.
- Economic Security for All (EcSA) Poverty reduction initiative of the Washington Employment Security Department, administered in coordination with WWA and local workforce boards, providing Career Accelerator Incentive payments, training, and career pathway support to help individuals move from poverty to economic self-sufficiency.
- Business Solutions Strategic solutions and services provided through WWA and local workforce development boards to assist employers with workforce needs, including hiring support, training program coordination, and business development resources.
- Washington Workforce Association Membership Membership organization of Washington's 12 Local Workforce Development Boards providing statewide coordination of workforce investments, policy advocacy before the Governor and state legislature, convening opportunities, and collective voice for the state's business-led workforce boards.
Quantifiable outcome
- Program completers move from under $10,000 annually to nearly $48,000 upon completion
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Washington Workforce Association
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Washington Workforce Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Washington Workforce Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.
- Employment Security DepartmentcoreCritical state agency partner integral to administering and boosting EcSA program resources statewide. ESD works with WWA and local workforce boards to deliver workforce services and unemployment benefits.
- Washington State Department of CommercecoreState agency partner instrumental in administering CRP funding and supporting workforce development initiatives across Washington through the Community Reinvestment Project.
- Economic Justice AlliancecoreCoalition that guided the building of the EcSA program since its inception in 2019, playing a pivotal role in designing the poverty reduction initiative.
- WorkSourcecoreStatewide system of affiliated offices providing free workforce services to employers and job seekers, coordinated through local workforce development boards.
- Umpqua BanknotableBanking partner offering Matched Savings Accounts and financial coaching to WWA customers through local workforce boards, supporting Individual Development Accounts and matched savings programs.
- Financial BeginningsnotableNonprofit partner providing financial education and coaching classes as part of the MISA program, supporting long-term financial empowerment for workforce participants.
- Washington State Department of CommercecoreAdministering the Community Reinvestment Project, including Business Investment Grants (BIG Opportunity) distributed through local workforce councils.
- Washington Build Back Black AlliancenotableCoalition led by Paula Fillmore-Sardinas of FMS Global Strategies that served as chief advocate for the community coalition advancing the CRP policy framework for reinvestment.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Washington Workforce Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP): Statewide membership organization for New York's workforce development boards and partners. Same nonprofit-membership structure as WWA, with policy advocacy and professional development for LWDBs as core functions.
- Michigan Works! Association: Membership association representing Michigan's workforce development system, including Michigan Works! Agencies. Direct state-level peer coordinating LWDBs and providing advocacy, training, and convening services.
- National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB): National membership association for the country's 600+ local workforce development boards. Most directly comparable to WWA's role as the state-level umbrella for Washington's 12 LWDBs, with analogous advocacy, training, and convening functions.
- California Workforce Association: Statewide membership association for California's Local Workforce Development Boards, providing policy advocacy, training, and convening. Same organizational archetype as WWA at state scale, operating a parallel policy and program-coordination model.
- Oregon Workforce Partnership: Membership association of Oregon's Local Workforce Development Boards. Closely comparable regional peer with the same model of coordinating LWDBs, advocating for state workforce policy, and supporting workforce training and equity programs.
Broad incumbents
- Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit driving workforce and education system transformation, including workforce development board support and equity-focused initiatives. Comparable mission around economic mobility, with broader national scope than WWA.
- National Skills Coalition: National policy and advocacy organization focused on skills training, workforce development, and equity. Broader incumbent operating at federal/state level with overlapping priorities around workforce policy and serving underrepresented communities.
Regional players
- Workforce Southwest Washington: One of Washington's 12 LWDBs and a WWA member board, serving the Southwest Washington region. Operates the same workforce training, employer engagement, and equity-focused programs that WWA coordinates at the statewide level.
- Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council: A Local Workforce Development Council serving Washington's Pacific Mountain region and a WWA member board. Directly comparable operational peer delivering WorkSource-aligned services within a sub-state geography.
Emerging players
- Corporation for a Skilled Workforce: National nonprofit focused on workforce system innovation, equity, and employer engagement. Smaller-scale peer with comparable focus on improving workforce development outcomes for underserved populations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Washington Workforce Association social profiles
Digital presenceWashington Workforce Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Washington Workforce Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Washington Workforce Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Washington Workforce Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Washington Workforce Association
What does Washington Workforce Association do?
The Washington Workforce Association (WWA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization of Washington's 12 Local Workforce Development Boards that coordinates statewide workforce development investments and administers programs such as Economic Security for All (EcSA) and the Community Reinvestment Program (CRP). It provides advocacy, training coordination, business solutions for employers, and direct financial supports (Career Accelerator Incentives, Matched Individual Savings Accounts, Business Investment Grants) to job seekers and small businesses, with a priority focus on Black, Latine, and Tribal communities.
Is Washington Workforce Association a public or private company?
Washington Workforce Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Washington Workforce Association founded?
Washington Workforce Association was founded in 2000. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Washington Workforce Association based?
Washington Workforce Association is headquartered in Olympia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Washington Workforce Association make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership dues and state funding.
Who are Washington Workforce Association's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP), Michigan Works! Association, National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), California Workforce Association and Oregon Workforce Partnership. Broad incumbents are Jobs for the Future (JFF) and National Skills Coalition. Regional players are Workforce Southwest Washington and Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council. Corporation for a Skilled Workforce is listed as an emerging player.
Does Washington Workforce Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Washington Workforce Association.
What industry is Washington Workforce Association in?
Washington Workforce Association's product category is Workforce Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAA, Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers), with a secondary code of EDAAAOAF, Dislocated Worker & Rapid Response / Reemployment Programs. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.