The federal workforce grant program helps job seekers train and enter career pathways that move families toward financial self-sufficiency.
SEATTLE, Wash., – The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, a member of the statewide Washington Workforce Association (WWA), has been awarded the prestigious Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Trailblazer Award by the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). This national recognition honors workforce development teams across the nation that embrace innovation to meet the needs of residents and employers in their region.
“We are honored to be recognized and proud to contribute to Washington’s leadership in workforce innovation,” said Marie Kurose, CEO of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. “This award underscores the transformative power of investing in local workforce boards to build cross-sector partnerships that drive meaningful change and directly support community priorities.”
The WDC was selected for its innovative, community-driven strategic planning efforts, including Recover Better: A Regional Plan for Equitable Economic Recovery and the creation of a subrecipient funding model that expanded partnerships with community organizations, provided digital access, and supported workforce solutions for underserved populations—including immigrants, refugees, and individuals facing systemic barriers.
The award honors workforce development programs that successfully foster and advance strong partnerships with government agencies, business and industry, economic development, training and education, and community-based organizations to expand workforce solutions that reflect the unique needs of the community.
“With over 550 workforce boards across the country, Washington state has been recognized twice in just five years for the leadership and innovation driven by its local workforce boards,” said John Traugott, executive director of WWA. “The award highlights the importance of sustained investment in WIOA programs, as well as state initiatives like Economic Security for All and the Community Reinvestment Plan, which help move people from poverty to self-sufficiency while filling critical workforce gaps for local employers.”
The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County team accepted the award at the NAWB Forum 2025 in Washington, D.C., where workforce leaders from across the country gathered to discuss strategies for building stronger, more inclusive workforce systems.
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About the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County
The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County serves as the Local Workforce Development Board, designated by the City of Seattle Mayor and King County Executive, to set policy and administer federal workforce development funds under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). As the regional workforce backbone, they partner with over 40 community-based organizations and reach more than 30,000 job seekers and 2,000 businesses on an annual basis, pursuing comprehensive solutions that elevate job quality and address racial and economic disparities.
About the Washington Workforce Association
The Washington Workforce Association (WWA) is a nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization of the Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDB) of Washington State. The LWDBs are business-led boards that coordinate and leverage workforce investments and strategies with stakeholders from education, economic development, labor and community-based organizations to advance the economic health of their respective communities through a skilled and competitive workforce.
