Workforce Portal sees continued growth in Tri-Cities area

We’re entering internship season, which is both an important time of life for students entering the workforce, and a key opportunity for employers. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to help make finding these experiences easier and more successful, whether you’re a student looking for an internship or an employer looking for a sharp new summer hire.

Internships are a great way for employers to connect with new talent and give them exposure to the workplace. And for students, an internship is an ideal way to build the job-related soft skills and form professional relationships that are often the bedrock of a successful career.

With summer around the corner, students are starting to plan where they are going to stay and where they are going to work. Whether your workplace has a formal internship program or you’re just looking for summer help, now is a great time to start advertising any open workbased learning opportunities so students can learn about your company – and you can connect with the next generation of talent.

The Washington Workforce Portal launched in Washington two years ago with only a handful of students and employers. There are now more than 200 employers signed up with the portal and about 800 students have created accounts. About 800 work-based learning opportunities have been posted.

The Washington Workforce Portal (washingtonworkforceportal.org) is an online resource where employers and educators may post an unlimited number of internship opportunities and have free access to a student candidate database.

A project of the AWB Institute, the Washington Workforce Portal connects young people across the state to realworld work-based learning opportunities. Originally launched in Spokane and Tri-Cities, it is now statewide. Students can now find opportunities across the state and businesses have access to a much larger potential talent pool.

Posted opportunities now include remote work, apprenticeships, job shadowing and teacher externships. Teacher externships open business doors for educators, giving them real-world experience to bring back to the classroom.

Creating a profile only takes a few minutes. Students can now even receive text message updates when a relevant opportunity is posted.

The portal’s success is due in part to the local chambers of commerce that help facilitate opportunities and connections in the community.

Chambers across the state, including right here in the Tri-Cities, have a designated staff member who regularly checks internship postings, works with businesses on their workforce challenges, and serves as a liaison between the businesses and education communities.

Our partners at the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce tell us that they’ve seen how industry and business leaders play an essential role in assisting local students as they explore career opportunities and skills so essential to becoming employable.

“Our students are eager for exposure to various careers, to explore and receive education through work-based learning, and to gain relevant experience that will contribute to their future employment,” said Brooke Myrland, the workforce and education manager for the regional chamber.

Yet despite how important internships are to both students and employers, it can be difficult for them to find one another. That’s a problem that the portal is helping to solve.

“It takes awareness and participation on both ends to create an equitable workforce system,” Myrland said. “The Washington Workforce Portal can serve

Washington Workforce Portal

• Local contact: Brooke Myrland, workforce and education manager, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, 509-736-0510, brooke.myrland@ tricityregionalchamber.com

• Go to the portal: washingtonworkforceportal.org as the bridge that directly connects industry, education, and students in creating a solid homegrown pipeline that will strengthen the local workforce and economy in our region”. money for college. Caregivers balancing the needs of a sick family member or small children. These are just two examples of workers who just want the flexibility to earn based on the schedule and hours that work for them.

The workforce of tomorrow is already here. The missing link to bring them on board your business is here, too, at the Washington Workforce Portal.

Paula Linnen is principal of The Foster Institute, former executive director of external affairs at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the immediate past chair of the Association of Washington Business.

Laura Lawton is president of Lawton Printing Services and chair of the board of the Association of Washington Business.

The app-based delivery industry has blossomed over the last five years, with projections to grow by $320 billion by 2029, demonstrating its continued demand and need for its access.

More specifically, the industry experienced newfound growth and necessity during the pandemic, acting as a resource for restaurants to stay in business serving their communities. This option was especially vital to the many restaurants and businesses who did not already offer delivery service and helped them stay competitive.

Unfortunately, state and local policies have not kept pace with the rapid adoption of this technology. Simply put, Washington needs policies and advocates to reflect today’s modern workforce, and where it is headed. We need policies that give Washingtonians the freedom to work how, when and where they want; offer consumers more choice and convenience; and help small, local businesses thrive.

The Washington Alliance for Innovation and Independent Work is a coalition made up of business and community leaders, delivery services, consumers and independent workers throughout the state. Our aim is to unify the voices of those who believe in this mission and advocate for policies that promote economic innovation and equal opportunities for all facets of the new flexible and independent marketplace and economy.

The alliance supports policies aimed at protecting Washingtonians’ access to flexible earning opportunities.

While some claim that independent workers would benefit more from being full-time employees, the facts – and feedback from workers – suggest otherwise.

Case in point: Over 90% of independent workers who contract with the app-based delivery platform DoorDash work less than 10 hours a week, and for four out of five delivery drivers, this gig work is not their primary source of income.

Examples like these are why I am proud to support the alliance, as Washington’s ever-evolving economy and small business landscape require new policy solutions.

I urge any individual or organization interested in supporting small businesses, innovation and economic development in the state to join the alliance.

Our economy is constantly evolving, and it’s time to listen to business owners and workers directly, and partner together to find solutions that keep Washington innovative and moving forward.

Colin Hastings is the executive director of the Pasco Chamber of Commerce and serves as a member of the board of directors for the Washington Alliance for Innovation and Independent Work. Go to: washingtonalliance.org.

Gesa launches free financial education curriculum

Gesa Credit Union announced the launch of Gesa University, a free online resource that offers interactive financial literacy education courses.

Participants are provided with educational content that addresses common financial scenarios, such as buying a home, retirement, paying for higher education, and more.

Poor financial literacy levels in the U.S. are well-documented. According to a recent report from the National Financial Educators Council, the average amount lost by individuals in 2022 due to a lack of financial literacy was $1,819.

To take the online courses, go to gesauniversity.com. The six life courses available include personal finance, credit cards, buying a car, buying a home, paying for college and retirement.

All courses are available to the public, regardless of Gesa membership status.

Post office holds job fair May 18 in Sunnyside

The U.S. Postal Service is holding a

MARIPOSA, From page A3

During that time, DVS staff learned of the closure of Atomic City Thrift in Richland, and the owner donated everything on an “all or nothing” basis.

“We had to clear out the building, and we took some of the pieces, like clothing racks,” Izaguirre said. “It was a very eyeopening experience to know what to expect before we could get this place ready for LTC to come and paint. Then, we had to figure out how we were going to run the store because most of our staff doesn’t have retail experience.”

A separate thrift store closure also benefited Mariposa when Seattle Children’s job fair this month in the Yakima Valley.

It is from 1-4 p.m. May 18 at the Sunnyside WorkSource office, 1925 Morgan Road.

The hiring event is part of a statewide initiative to hire up to 1,000 new employees over the next few months. The need is especially urgent for mail carriers, clerks and mail handlers, the agency said.

Gesa adds Heritage, trees to debit card program

Gesa Credit Union recently announced a partnership with Heritage University to launch a fundraising program benefiting the university through a new co-branded debit card.

Heritage is the fifth college in the state to join Gesa’s co-branded debit card program.

Launched in 2015, to date the program has raised more than $1 million for local partner school districts and universities, awarding more than $300,000 in 2022 alone.

Gesa also recently announced a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation for a “Forevergreen” affinity card that will raise funds for the foundation’s reforestation efforts in the Pacific Northwest.

Hospital opted out of its lease renewal and closed the Kennewick Bargain Boutique.

“Their volunteers and customers have been coming in and helping us and kind of lift us up,” Izaguirre said.

“I planned on being (at the Bargain Boutique) until I retired,” said Lyn Shea, a former employee. “Now, there’s just such a hole and there’s no other ‘nice’ thrift store, so I’m hoping when we open the doors officially, we will start to get a lot of traffic in here. I expect a lot of my former customers will be able to come here and donate here, so there’s huge potential.”

At the start, Mariposa will be run by volunteers but expects to hire at least one staff member once funding is in place.

Each time a co-branded debit card is used, Gesa will make a donation to the partner group.

There is no fee for members to switch their card.

Chiawana High senior wins first place at international DECA competition

A senior at Chiawana High School in Pasco won first place in the project management community awareness event at DECA’s International Career Development Conference.

Kaiya Bates faced off against more than 150 other students to win top prize in her category. She wrote a 20-page paper and gave a presentation in which she shared her mental health story and told how she created C.A.L.M. Kits for elementary schools in Pasco after receiving community donations.

Kaiya, who was also the 2022 Miss Tri-Cities Outstanding Teen, is the first Chiawana High student to take the top place at the international conference.

“Kaiya worked so incredibly hard on both the event and competition and has made her entire DECA chapter and advisor team so proud,” said Leslie Bell,

“We’re already short-staffed at DVS and our funding is for direct programs so it would be too much to add this to our plate,” Izaguirre said. “We want to make sure someone is dedicated to the store, and it runs properly; but the rest can be volunteers, whether it’s new job training or job

Chiawana’s DECA advisor, in a statement.

“Kaiya achieved first place in the greatest of competitions and has inspired other DECA members to do their best and never give up. It warms my heart to see the difference Kaiya has made in her community and within herself. CHS DECA thanks Kaiya for her contributions to our program.” skills besides community volunteers.

This year’s conference was April 21-26 in Orlando, Florida. Nine students from Chiawana attended, joining more than 22,000 students from around the United States and beyond to participate in events that focused on entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

Several Chiawana students also earned gold standard school-based recognitions, including Meia Ng, Alex Osorio, Haileigh Morrison, Ava Duran, Jace Crawford, Casey Foster, Kenzie Gress and Kennedy McBride.

DVS is in its 20th year of operation and serves about 3,000 people annually, including children. It’s bringing back its fundraising gala this fall for the first time since the pandemic to support its recurring programs and growing needs. Go to: dvsbf.org.