Job Training
United Way of King County helps reduce the risk of poverty by supporting job training and education so that more people can support themselves and their families. We support programs that:
- Give people concrete job skills and increase job retention, skill advancement and wage progression over a period of time
- Teach job-seekers how to successfully write a resume and interview for a job
- Educate people about communicating effectively, dealing with conflict, being on time and appropriate dress for the workplace
- Improve the English language and literacy skills of immigrants and refugees so they have a better chance of getting a good job
Wages in high skill jobs and in certain industries have increased over the past decade but wages have stayed flat or declined in many entry level low-wage jobs. Often people cannot progress to living wage jobs because they lack the skills, education and English language ability to advance in their employment.
A well-paying job means so much. It gives a person dignity, purpose and the ability to support a family. For our community, it means greater stability and the potential for growth.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
Unemployment rates
- The unemployment rate in King County was 8.2% in June, 2010.
- King County had approximately 13,665 job vacancies in October 2009, a 2.1% vacancy rate. The median wage offered in those vacancies is $11.75.
- From April 2009 to April 2010 the construction industry has lost 20,700 jobs, the highest volume and percentage loss of any industry.
- According to Employment Security Department's job vacancy survey, the top four occupation groups in King County with the highest number of job openings during 2009 were computer applications software engineers, computer systems software engineers, registered nurses, and janitors and cleaners.
- According to the Seattle Job Initiative's February 2010 report, the four occupations expected to see the largest average annual growth rates are: child care worker, registered nurse, personal and home care aides, and medical secretaries.
