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Climate and Workforce Community Engagement

High-quality community engagement is crucial to driving effective and impactful workforce development and building long-lasting employment pipelines.
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Community Engagement

Community engagement is crucial to driving effective workforce development and building long-lasting employment pipelines. To boost these efforts, King County continues to support events and engagement campaigns aimed at connecting communities to emerging economic opportunities. Growing green industries like construction, manufacturing, transportation, and professional services provide new opportunities for youth and middle-skill workers.

Since the launch of the County’s first Green Jobs Strategy in 2023, King County has hosted or sponsored over 22 community-centered events to connect local residents to economic opportunity, generate interest in the green economy, and strengthen recruitment from frontline communities.

person giving presentation to group of people
Young adults listen to a presentation from King County staff on applying for the Wastewater Treatment Division Operator-in-Training program.

Breaking Down Barriers

A common barrier to entering the workforce is a lack of support in crafting high quality application materials. Without guidance or exposure to the professional world, unknown expectations can prevent a candidate’s application from reaching its full potential. To combat this issue, King County’s Climate and Workforce team, in close collaboration with King County departments and recruiters, has partnered with a number of programs like WeldWorks, and Community Passageways to offer tailored application clinics to community members, 2-hour workshops designed to provide resume skills and application support for King County positions.

Through application clinics, participants become equipped with the necessary tools to become competitive applicants for King County positions while growing and diversifying the county’s pool of qualified applicants.
people hold onto long strong during a workshop
JumpStart participants learn about solar panels from Sara Ali.

Building a Climate-Ready Workforce

Expanding the County’s climate resilience requires a strong network of green industries that rely on a skilled, climate-ready workforce. The Executive Climate Office hosts a number of programs that contribute to this effort.

The JumpStart Program supports young people 18-24 from underrepresented communities to pursue living wage career pathways that contribute to a cleaner and healthier King County.

The Climate and Workforce team is always looking to recruit new contractors to support the County’s transition. With contractor receptions and hiring events, we aim to uplift and celebrate JumpStart partners.

Interested in training with JumpStart or becoming a host contractor? Visit JumpStart for more information.

Energize supports the County’s mission to install heat pumps and other clean technologies in low- and moderate-income homes. The Climate and Workforce team partnered with YouthSource and Seattle Central College’s Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training program to connect students to paid, work-based learning opportunities in connection with the program.
two people use virtual reality headset
Youth in VR headset explore a virtual solar installation training module.

Green Jobs, Green Futures Summit

The Green Jobs, Green Futures Summit is the Climate and Workforce Team’s biggest, annual event hosted each September. Hundreds of people come together to hear about the growing green sector. Students from Seattle high schools, members of community-based organizations, and the general public are all invited to attend and share in exciting displays of green technology, speak with industry employers, and learn about new careers in the region.
group of people listen to a presentation about electric vehicles
Workshop focused on EV infrastructure work opportunities for WMBE electrical firms

Supporting Partner Programs

The transition to a green future requires investment in the climate workforce, skilled trades, and young professionals. To accomplish the ambitious goals of King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan and the Climate and Workforce Strategy, the Climate and Workforce team have supported a variety of regional partners.

Collaborations include Burien’s SolarPunk Festival, Emerald Cities Collaborative’s EV workshop, Seattle’s Green Jobs Pathways program, UW Climate Solutions Summit, and more!
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