Reprinted from the July 5, 2012 issue of the Journal of Business, Spokane, Washington.
© Copyright 2012 - Northwest Business Press Inc.
nesses and citizens.
The conversion to nonprofit status isn’t
unprecedented, and arguably might even be
overdue. Mark Mattke, the council’s executive
director, said in a press release announcing the
change that nine of the 12 workforce development councils in the state already are nonprofit
organizations, and the majority of workforce
boards across the nation operate as nonprofit
organizations.
“This transition will allow us to become more
The Spokane Area Workforce Development
flexible, efficient, and entrepreneurial,” he said,
Council’s recently announced plan to become a
adding, “We look forward to finding new ways to
stand-alone nonprofit organization, ending a 38bring resources to our region to strengthen our
year stint with the city of Spokane, is a smart
workforce and ultimately our business commumove that should generate positive results.
nity.”
The council, which has a small staff, adminisChristine Johnson, CCS chancellor, said, “The
ters and disburses federal funds to agencies that
economic times demand all sectors of governprovide job-related services here and, among
ment work closely together to reduce costs,
other services, assists startup businesses and
improve service, and expand reach. This realignprovides and promotes training for job seekers.
ment preserves SAWDC’s distinctive role in
An interlocal agreement between the city and
meeting employer needs, while at
Spokane County allowed it to
the same time connecting CCS, a
operate as a city department for
regional training and education
the last nearly four decades. As a
provider, to employers who are
nonprofit, the council will Developing a more formal
seeking the skills CCS students are
strengthen
its
ties
with
learning in a wide variety of career
relationship with
Community Colleges of Spokane
and technical programs.”
to streamline its management and
Mattke will serve as a shared
Community Colleges of
increase its efficiency. Its staff
executive director, overseeing
soon will move from City Hall to
Spokane Community College.
Spokane makes good sense both the council and Community
Colleges of Spokane’s Workforce
The council said its board, the
and Continuing Education divicity of Spokane administration,
for the workforcesion. In that dual role, Johnson
and the Board of Spokane County
said, he’ll seek to coordinate their
Commissioners all support the
development agency.
efforts to meet employers’ workchanges for a number of reasons.
force needs in targeted industry
For one, as a nonprofit, the
sectors and to provide customized
council will have the opportunity
training. That type of coordination makes good
to attract funding from a diverse array of sources,
sense and, we anticipate, will be welcomed by
in addition to the federal and other grant money
employers.
it already receives.
Early this year, the city and county announced
Furthermore, it already has a well-establishthe creation of a joint task force designed to evaling relationship with Community Colleges of
uate opportunities to collaborate or consolidate
Spokane, with the two collaborating routinely
services, with a focus on trimming costs and
on workforce education and training issues, so
improving efficiency.
creating a more formal partnership makes
Although big challenges loom in how to implesense. For the city, the change is consistent
ment those improvements in areas such as crimiwith the its ongoing efforts to streamline its
nal justice and animal control services, this
administrative structure and focus on the
change is a good, small step in that direction.
delivery of core services that benefit its busi-
Workforce
council change
is good move