Incumbent Worker Training

Incumbent Worker Training is customized, industry specific training for employees (incumbent workers) of local companies from key industry sectors. This training has been a popular and key service to business by helping companies and employees grow and prosper.




In 2003, under the guidance of a local health skills panel, a serious healthcare personnel shortage/skills gap was addressed in part, through the provision of incumbent worker training modules for post cardiac care, health care LEAN, nurse preceptor, echocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound, and other training modules. Participating companies included; Memorial Hospital, Landmark Care, Klickitat Valley Health, Cle Elum Family Medicine, Kittitas Valley Hospital, Yakima Regional and others.




In 2004-2008 employees of local construction firms benefitted from customized knuckleboom training, respirator protection, heat stress, trenching and shoring, blueprint reading other training modules. Participating employers were Mountain States Construction, Western Materials, Granite NW, MRM Construction, RSE Excavation, Sunnyside Irrigation and others.
In 2011, partnering with New Vision, manufacturing supervisor training was provided to employees from local manufacturing companies. This training continues to be provided to companies through New Vision today. Participating employers included Graham Packaging, Amtech, Farwest Fabrication, Cub Crafters and others.
In 2011, in partnership with the Central Washington Resource Energy Collaborative (CWREC) wind farm high angle safety training was provided to wind farm employees and rural county first responders to increase efficiency and effectiveness of emergency response to wind energy facilities. Participating employers were Wild Horse Wind, Linden Wind, Kittitas County Fire Districts, Klickitat County Search and Rescue, Q Global, Washington State Patrol.
In 2012, a partnership including our economic development agencies, Clark College and Impact Washington collaborated to bring efficiency optimization training to employees from GE Aviation, Cub Crafters, Insitu-Boeing and other supply chain companies. Multiple customized training modules consisted of project management, problem solving, LEAN, statistical process control, others.
Getting results previous training outcomes as reported by participating companies include increased productivity, earning gains, certification/licensing, introduction of new technologies and layoff aversion. Incumbent worker training also results in deeper employer engagement, builds employer relationships and opens the door for other workforce services.
Going forward WIOA lifts the (WIA) ban on using local formula funds for incumbent worker training. WDCs may now reserve and expend up to 20% of their combined adult and dislocated worker formula funds for incumbent worker training.
Our WDC’s Business, Industry and Education Committee at its meeting in November recommended the following for Council approval at a future meeting:

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  Continue investments for incumbent worker training as a key business service.
  
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  Draft a policy for delivery of incumbent worker training that includes recommended operating standards (sector driven, work with industry partnerships, require company investment, 100% company match as before).
  
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  As a first year investment, allocate $50,000 of adult/dislocated worker funds for incumbent worker training.