PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      6a 
ACTION ITEM 
Date of Meeting      July 12, 2016 
DATE:    July 5, 2016 
TO:      Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:   Dave McFadden, Economic Development Division Director 
Marie Kurose, Workforce Development Program Manager 
SUBJECT:  Core Plus funding 
Amount of This Request:       $400,000.00   Source of Funds:  Tax Levy 

ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization to approve a competition waiver in accordance with RCW
53.19.020(5) and authorize the CEO to execute a contract for up to two years with the
Manufacturing Industrial Council for services to increase the pipeline of qualified workers
needed to meet the future workforce needs of maritime, construction, manufacturing and other
port-related industries for a total not to exceed $400,000. 
SYNOPSIS 
This contract is for business and labor outreach and engagement, strategic planning, sector-based
curriculum and program development to expand Core Plus. It will also support planning and
program services to strengthen the Port's High School Internship Initiative. 
Core Plus is an established, industry-validated, STEM-based high school learning model that
provides youth with the core skills and knowledge needed to transition from high school to postsecondary
education, employment, apprenticeship, and/or  career training in basic industry
occupations.  The "core" refers to skills in shop safety, applied math, material science, and
teamwork along with tool, equipment and keyboard technologies applicable to entry-level
requirements for virtually all high-wage industrial sectors. The "plus" refers to specialized
training specific to a single sector such as aircraft manufacturing, construction trades, or marine
technology.
This investment will provide both short term and longer term benefits to the Port's key sectors.
Rather than focusing on individual industry sectors, this approach seeks to provide youth with
the common foundational skills and awareness needed to work in or pursue additional training in
the "basic industries sectors" which includes those in the construction, maritime, manufacturing,
transportation and logistics, utilities, and wholesale trade industries.  According to a recent
published by the Seattle Jobs Initiative: "Retaining & Growing Middle-Wage Jobs in Seattle's

Template revised May 30, 2013.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
July 12, 2016 
Page 2 of 4 
Basic Industries" In 2014, Seattle's basic industries produced over 82,000 jobs, or 15 percent of
the jobs in Seattle. 
Funding for the services provided by Core Plus was approved by Commission and is included in
the 2016 budget.  This action would allow the Port to enter into a contract with the
Manufacturing Industrial Council as the administrative entity for Core Plus.  The Port's
investment will leverage more than $6 million in private and public support. 
BACKGROUND 
Through its Century Agenda and subsequent Commission actions, the Port recognizes workforce
development is critical to achieving the Port's economic development mission. In 2016, the Port
has substantiated this commitment by more than doubling its financial investment in workforce
development. 
The Port's investments in workforce development are designed to enhance and build on its goal
of creating family wage jobs in the region by strengthening port-related industry sectors. They
include efforts aimed at both youth and adults to create a pool of workers that align with the
needs of industry. Building a pipeline of workers to prepare the future workforce requires
connecting employers with high schools, secondary institutions, and providing career exposure
for youth. Core Plus is aimed at providing youth with career awareness and basic skills needed
to enter training and/or careers in port-related industries. 
Core Plus was initiated in the 2011-2012 school year by The Boeing Company, the
Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) and the Washington State Office of the Superintendent
of Public Instruction (OSPI). It started as a pilot project in Yakima. Today, it is offered at 37 
locations around the state with enrollment options available to students from more than 150 high
schools. In addition to Seattle, other Core Plus programs are available in King County through
the Puget Sound Skill Center in Burien, Auburn High School, and Lindbergh High School in
Renton. 
The spread of Core Plus was spurred by incentive of grants available from the Washington State
Legislature that enable local school districts to buy equipment for Core Plus skills training.
These annual grants total $450,000 per year. In 2015, those investments generated $4.5 million
in expenditures by local school districts to pay for related teacher salaries, facilities, insurance,
etc. 
Additional partners now include the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA); Local 751 of
the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM); the Education
Foundation of the Associated General Contractors of Washington (AGC); the Washington State
Maritime Federation; the Washington National Guard; the Washington Business Alliance and the
League of Education Voters. 
COMPETITION WAIVER 
The proposed contract is subject to Chapter 53.19 RCW, which requires "open competition for
all personal service contracts entered into by port districts unless specifically exempted under

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
July 12, 2016 
Page 3 of 4 
this Chapter [53.19]." Based on our review of statutory obligations, open competition means
allowing any interested firm an opportunity to compete for the work by issuing a solicitation and
including an advertisement and/or posting the opportunity on the Internet if the value of the
contract is over $200,000. These requirements are incorporated in Port of Seattle CPO-1,
Procedures for Personal and Professional Services. 
RCW 53.19.020 lists five exemptions from competitive solicitation. The fifth exemption is for
"other contracts or classes or groups of contracts exempted from the competitive solicitation
process by the Commission when it has been determined that a competitive solicitation process is
not appropriate or cost-effective." Under RCW 53.19.020(5) the Commission must determine
that a competitive solicitation process is not appropriate or cost-effective based on the
circumstances. 
The Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) is the administrative entity for Core Plus. Core
Plus is overseen by public-private Steering Committee. Port funds will support the curriculum
development, teacher training, strategic planning, employer engagement and efforts to secure
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) recognition of standards. Implementation
is supported by more than $6 million in state and local education funding and private grants. As
such, the Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) is uniquely qualified to perform this work. 
SCOPE OF WORK 
Port funds will support the services needed to expand Core Plus programs to the basic industries
sector including those in the construction, manufacturing  aviation maintenance and maritime.
It will also support the Port's high school intern initiative. This includes: 
Business and Labor Engagement and Strategy Development 
A.    Expand Core Plus Regional Partnership: 
Increase participation of industry, labor, training, and educational partners in Career
Technical Education planning and program initiatives. 
Hold an Industrial Workforce Conference to engage school districts, teachers,
counselors, apprenticeship programs, employers, labor and community groups in
Career and Technical Education programs. 
B.    Complete a Three Year Action Plan to upgrade Core Plus and related CTE programs in
the school districts throughout the state.
Sector Based Program Development and Implementation 
A.    Expand curriculum options for high school students to develop skills for post-secondary
education and careers opportunities in manufacturing, maritime trades, construction,
agriculture, US military and other industrial career sectors.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
July 12, 2016 
Page 4 of 4 
Adapt Core Plus Curriculum to marine technology in partnership with Northwest
Marine Trade Association, Washington Maritime Federation and Seattle Colleges.
Submit curriculum to state for approval. 
Adapt Core Plus aircraft manufacturing curriculum to aircraft maintenance in
partnership with major airline tenants at Sea Tac. Submit curriculum to state for
approval. 
Develop maritime and manufacturing curriculum enhancements to support
development of maritime and manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program expansion. 
Provide curriculum and program development support to strengthen Career and
Technical Education programs in King County schools. 
B.    Support expansion of work-based learning, career exploration and internship
opportunities for high school youth to increase exposure to jobs and careers in the
maritime and manufacturing sectors. 
Expand job placements and or continued training in Manufacturing, Maritime,
Construction, and other basic industry programs. 
Identify, support and connect students from Rainier Beach High School's CTE
program to Port's High School Intern Challenge initiative. 
Participate in manufacturing and maritime panels at area high schools. 
Provide technical support to Port staff ensure integration with existing high school
CTE, career exploration and internship programs. 
Budget Status and Source of Funds 
A sum of $200,000 for this work is included in the 2016 Economic Development Division
budget. An additional $200,000 will be included in the 2017 budget. 
STRATEGIES AND OBJECTIVES 
This action will support and further the Port's Century Agenda commitment and Workforce
Development Strategic goals. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
None. 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
April 12, 2016 Workforce Development Briefing 
Economic Development Budget Presentation