The Washington Hospitality Association Education Foundation received great news today! The state Department of Commerce announced three winners of the Skilled Worker Awareness grant. The Education Foundation was awarded more than 45 percent of the allocated grant money! The Skilled Worker Awareness program was created to help increase the number of people with skills and credentials for high-demand occupations that do not require a four-year college degree.

Last year, the legislature passed Senate Bill 5713, which created a skilled worker outreach, recruitment and career awareness grant program for industries that are facing workforce supply gaps. The Education Foundation supported this bill through the legislative process and was instrumental in gaining support for its passage.