Port of Seattle Commission
Workforce Development Policy
Directive
As Adopted
June 23, 2020
1






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2   SECTION 1.   Purpose. 
3   The purpose of this Policy Directive is to fulfil Century Agenda strategic objectives by increasing
4   equitable access for workers in port-related economic activities, create opportunities for
5   workers to acquire the skills, experience, and education they need to secure increasingly
6   complex and better compensated jobs and careers at the Port and in port-related economic
7   industries and activities; and to guide the workforce development efforts of the Port of Seattle
8   to benefit workers, Port customers and tenants, and port-related economic activities in near-
9   port communities in King County and the general area.
10   Workforce development is critical to achieving the Port's mission to serve as an economic
11   development agency. As a regional anchor institution, the Port will leverage its cross-sector
12   influence and leadership to promote long-term, sustainable advancements across port-related
13   economic activities that promote equity.
14
15   The port-related workforce development described herein provides a substantial public benefit
16   consistent with the Port Commission's economic development goals and is consistent with
17   ongoing worker training initiatives in place in King County.
18
19   This policy directive advances the Port of Seattle's commitment to workforce development and
20   is intended to:
21
22          1.  Increase Equitable Access to Economic Prosperity
23          2.  Leverage Port Impact and Innovation
24
25   SECTION 2. Definitions.
26
27   When used in this policy directive, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings
28   given below unless the context in which they are included clearly indicates otherwise:
29
30   "Apprentice" means an individual participating in a registered program that provides closely
31   supervised on-the-job training which may be supplemented with classroom instruction.
32   Apprentices receive wages when they begin and earn increases as they become proficient in
33   various skills. Once the program is complete, apprentices receive industry certifications and
34   licenses to practice their trade.
35
36   "Career and Technical Education" means the practice of teaching specific career skills to
37   students in middle school, high school, and post-secondary institutions.
38
39   "Career Connected Learning" means a continuum of events and work-related experiences
40   designed to create meaningful linkages between K-12 education and future employment
41   opportunities. They are typically broken down into a series of events classified as, "Awareness",
42   "Experiential", "Preparation", and "Launch." These events are geared towards creating
43   experiential awareness about career pipelines or pathways for young people from an early age.

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44   "Career Pathways" means an integrated collection of programs and services intended to
45   develop community members' core academic, technical and employability skills; provide them
46   with continuous education, training; and place them in high-demand, high-opportunity jobs and
47   careers.
48
49   "Career Transitions" means the experience by opportunity youth and adults transitioning from
50   high school and or GED programs, involvement with the criminal justice system, income-related
51   housing insecurity, military veterans, and or under-employment.
52
53   "Community Capacity Building" means the process by which community members and
54   community organizations obtain, improve, and retain the skills, knowledge, tools, equipment,
55   and other resources needed to engage effectively in planning and decision-making processes
56   and advocate for self-determination in both policy and project decisions.
57
58   "Demand Occupations" means Occupations within the high growth industries (as defined by
59   Federal government) and having more than the average number of new openings.
60
61   "Disaggregated Data" means data that has been broken down by detailed sub-categories, such
62   as race, gender, income, or census tract level findings. Disaggregated data can reveal
63   disproportionalities that may not be fully reflected in aggregated data.
64
65   "Displacement" means the involuntary relocation of current residents or businesses from their
66   current residence. This is a different phenomenon than when property owners voluntarily sell
67   their interests to capture an increase in value. Physical (direct) displacement is the result of
68   eviction, condemnation, rehabilitation, or demolition of property, or the expiration of
69   covenants on rent- or income-restricted housing. Economic (indirect) displacement occurs
70   when residents and businesses can no longer afford escalating rents or property taxes. Cultural
71   displacement occurs when people choose to move because their neighbors and culturally
72   related businesses have left the area.
73
74   "Disparities Rank" means, according to the Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map,
75   means a ranking of cumulative impacts that determines the prevalence of disparity within an
76   area. The rank is identified by multiplying environmental exposures and effects with the
77   presence of sensitive populations and socioeconomic factors.
78
79   "Economic Development Programs" means occupational job training and placement, job
80   advancement and job retention, pre-apprenticeship training, or occupational education
81   programs associated with port tenants, customers, and local economic development related to
82   port tenants or port-related economic activities that are sponsored by a port and operated by a
83   nonprofit, private, or public entity. The Port of Seattle refers to these as "workforce
84   development programs."
85
86   "Equity" means the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people while
87   striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of

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88   communities historically oppressed. Improving equity involves increasing justice and fairness
89   with the procedures and processes of institutions or systems and a fair, intentional distribution
90   of resources.
91
92   "Equity  Driven"  means  embedding  race,  gender,  and  broad  social  equity  approaches
93   throughout projects or programs.
94
95   "Fellowships" refers to programs designed to provide hands-on career experience and
96   mentorship to identify and guide program participants.
97
98   "Green Job/Green Career" means a job or career needed to operate and sustainably manage
99   Port assets. Green jobs/green careers provide the skilled and diverse workforce in King County
100   required by the Port to satisfy environment and sustainability commitments identified in the
101   Century Agenda and support the Port's operations. This workforce is created using principles of
102   an inclusive green economy that concurrently enhance the environmental health and economic
103   well-being of communities. Examples of Port-related green jobs/green careers may include but
104   is not limited to: renewable and solar energy, stormwater management, habitat restoration and
105   carbon banking, eco-tourism and sustainable transportation, environmental compliance and
106   remediation, environmental policy, as allowable by law.
107    "Inclusive Green Economy" means according to the European Commission, as an economic
108   model,  one  that  differs  from  traditional  ones  in  that  it  takes  due  consideration  of
109   environmental and social externalities, focuses on resource efficiency and ecosystems, as
110   building blocks of the economy; taking into account that environment degradation undermines
111   long-term economic growth and human development. The transition to an inclusive green
112   economy entails joined efforts at many levels, including in stimulating sustainable lifestyles,
113   scaling up sustainable consumption and production and encouraging green entrepreneurship,
114   through the advancement of eco-innovations, the facilitation of resource efficiency, and the
115   mainstreaming of green consumer behavior. In the course of change, new green jobs are to be
116   created without compromising on existing employment, and a significant reduction on carbon
117   emissions, waste and other forms of pollution is to be achieved.
118
119   "Port-related Industries" means aviation, maritime, construction trades and green career
120   industries.
121
122   "Priority Hire Policy" means the Port of Seattle Resolution No. 3736 and amended by Resolution
123   No. 3746 adopted by the Port of Seattle Commission which strives to increase access to jobs for
124   qualified construction workers from economically distressed areas of King County to Port of
125   Seattle projects.
126
127   "Pre-Apprentice" means an individual participating in a registered program that provides the
128   training  and  skill  development  needed  to  meet  the  qualifications  for  entry  into  an

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129   apprenticeship. These programs also provide wrap-around support that allows participants to
130   remain in the program.
131
132   "Opportunity Youth" are defined as people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither
133   enrolled in school nor participating in the labor market. For instance, in many cases, these
134   young people are experiencing connected challenges like homelessness, being in foster care,
135   involvement in the youth or adult criminal justice systems, and being an immigrant or child of
136   an immigrant; these life circumstances become barriers to participating in the workforce.
137   "Training system" means programs and courses of secondary vocational education, technical
138   college programs and courses, community college vocational programs and courses, private
139   career school and college programs and courses, employer-sponsored training, adult basic
140   education programs and courses, programs and courses funded by the federal workforce
141   innovation and opportunity act, programs and courses funded by the federal vocational act,
142   programs and courses funded under the federal adult education act, publicly funded programs
143   and courses for adult literacy education, and apprenticeships, and programs and courses
144   offered by private and public nonprofit organizations that are representative of communities or
145   significant segments of communities and provide job training or adult literacy services.
146   "Workforce Development" means the composite of strategies and services, including career
147   connected learning, K-12 education, worker and employer training and job matching that help
148   connect and retain workers to careers within the Port and port-related economic activities, and
149   that help ensure area businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need to thrive and
150   grow. RCW 53.08.245(1) provides that "[i]t shall be in the public purpose for all port districts to
151   engage in economic development programs."   RCW 53.08.245(2)(a) provides that such
152   economic development programs may include "[o]occupational job training and placement, job
153   advancement  and  job  retention,  preapprenticeship  training,  or  occupational  education
154   programs associated with port tenants, customers, and local economic development related to
155   port tenants or port-related economic activities that are sponsored by a port and operated by a
156   nonprofit, private, or public entity."
157   "Wrap-Around Services" means those services and support systems including but not limited
158   to, public transportation assistance, work related clothing, tools, work related food assistance,
159   child-care and monetary compensation as they relate to work-needs, and as allowable by law,
160   regulations and funding sources, that promote access and stronger alignment of workforce,
161   education, vocational rehabilitation, and other human services systems.
162
163   SECTION 3. Scope and Applicability.
164
165   This policy directive, in alignment with WA RCW 53.08.245, applies to all activities of the Port of
166   Seattle's employees and related business units that support economic development programs,
167   hereafter referred to as "workforce development programs."
168

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169   SECTION 4. Responsibilities.
170
171   The Executive Director shall engage in the following activities in pursuit of this policy directive,
172   either directly or by appropriate delegation of authority:
173
174       A.  Develop and implement economic and workforce development programs consistent
175          with this policy directive.
176
177       B.  Incorporate current Port policies when developing and implementing workforce
178          development efforts, including the Port's Century Agenda, the Diversity in Contracting
179          Policy Directive, the Priority Hire Policy Directive, the Duwamish Valley Community
180          Benefits Commitment Policy Directive, the South King County Fund, the Opportunities
181          Motion, and other relevant Port directives and policies.
182
183       C.  Develop a three-year workforce development strategic plan to implement this policy
184          and guide equitable, diverse, and inclusive economic development programs across King
185          County and the region. The strategic plan will include the following elements:
186
187          1.  An overview of workforce development best practices in port-related industries
188             including: education, job placement assistance, training, coaching, navigation
189             assistance, and skills needs of workers to acquire and retain jobs and advance in
190             their careers;
191
192          2.  A strategic overview of port-related industries for career connected learning
193             opportunities, workforce education and training system gaps, and possible areas of
194             focus for the Port with an emphasis on equitable impact;
195
196          3.  Identification of current and future labor and skills needs of the Port and port-
197             related industry employers;
198
199          4.  Identification of gaps in port-related industry workforce education and training
200             system offerings with recommendations;
201
202          5.  Identification of additional funding sources and partnership opportunities to support
203             port-related industries;
204
205          6.  Identification of disproportionately impacted communities who are also at high risk
206             of displacement will be prioritized in the workforce development strategy;
207
208          7.  Identification of opportunities for the Port to promote an inclusive green economy
209             through innovative workforce training and career pathways that further advance
210             opportunities  for  port-related  economic  activities  to  advance  the  region's
211             sustainability and climate change resilience.

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212          8.  Identification of all port resources needed to carry out the strategic plan.
213
214   SECTION 5. Policy.
215
216   Port-related workforce development provides a substantial public benefit consistent with the
217   Port of Seattle Commission's economic development goals and is consistent with ongoing
218   worker training initiatives in place. To center equity, diversity and inclusion in its workforce
219   development efforts and to support sustainable and competitive port-related industries, the
220   Port shall pursue the following goals:
221
222       A.  Goal 1: Increase Equitable Access to Economic Prosperity. Increase equitable workforce
223          access for the trades in port-related economic activities, with an emphasis on expanding
224          opportunities to near-port communities which are most disproportionately impacted.
225          Port staff will develop program priorities, actions, benchmarks, and metrics for success.
226
227          1.  Focus on workforce training and education on Port and port-related economic
228             activities where the greatest gaps and disparity rankings exist and;
229
230          2.  Promote access to wrap around services and infrastructure that are necessary to
231             improve the delivery of services to individuals, including adults and youth who face
232             barriers to employment and job retention, where such services are allowed by law.
233
234          3.  Career Pathways
235              (i.)  Increase equitable access to port related industry specific career pathways and
236                  port-related economic activities;
237
238             (ii.)  Support the development of equitable port related industry specific career
239                  pathways with an emphasis on progressively high demand careers and in
240                  careers which the Port of Seattle's economic vitality is dependent upon.
241
242          4.  Career Connected Learning: Adopt Career Connected Learning best practices into
243             Port workforce development, internships, and fellowship programs for all four (4) of
244             the commonly identified phases, with a special emphasis on support for opportunity
245             youth:
246              (i)  Awareness: provides youth an introductory level exposure to industries and job
247                 skills in port-related economic sectors.
248
249             (ii)  Experiential: provides youth a focused level of direct exposure to learning in
250                 industries and port-related economic sectors.
251
252             (iii)  Preparation: provides youth with supervised, practical application of skills and
253                 knowledge through extended direct interactions with industry and sector
254                 professionals in Port-related economic sectors.
255

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256             (iv)  Launch:  provides  workforce-ready  youth  the  preparation  needed  for
257                 employment in a specific range of occupations within the Port and in Port-
258                 related economic activities.
259
260       B.  Goal 2: Leverage Port Impact and Innovation. Identify and prioritize opportunities for
261          leadership  and  influence  to  promote  a  sector-based  approach  to  workforce
262          development centered on equity, diversity and inclusion.
263
264          1.  Make strategic investments in the maritime, aviation, construction trades, green
265             careers, and other port-related economic activities where the Port is uniquely
266             positioned to leverage the greatest community impact.
267
268              (i.)  Develop metrics to demonstrate the opportunities for leadership, influence
269                  and investment.
270
271             (ii.)  Create targeted emphasis to increase workforce development programs in
272                  near-port communities.
273
274             (iii.)  Leverage industry participation to increase recruitment and retention of
275                  workers in port-related demand occupations and high need careers.
276
277             (iv.)  Create awareness and access to education and career pathways in port related
278                  industries.
279
280             (v.)  Leverage port-related industry investment in programs that support training
281                  for basic skills and career advancement.
282
283             (vi.)  Invest Port funds in recruitment, retention, and training programs that will
284                  leverage increased investment in port-related careers.
285
286          2.  Foster partnership with community-based organizations, educational institutions,
287             labor, industry stakeholders, and government agencies to maximize the workforce
288             development impact of the Port of Seattle:
289
290             (i)    Support Priority Hire and ongoing government to government coordination to
291                  improve  apprenticeship  outcomes  for  individuals  living  in  economically
292                  distressed zip codes, women and people of color.
293
294            (ii)    Career and Technical Education, CTE
295                    a.  Coordinate with school districts and other degree-granting institutions
296                        to ensure Port fellows and interns are eligible for CTE credit when
297                        available.

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298                    b.  Create  opportunities  to  support  port  and  port-related  industry
299                        apprentice and pre-apprentice programs.
300
301                    c.  Improve access to educational and career support resources, such as job
302                        training centers, that facilitates workers' physical access to workforce
303                        development opportunities for disproportionately impacted near-port
304                        communities.
305
306            (iii)    Youth Employment
307                    a. Facilitate the expansion of the Port of Seattle Internship Program, such
308                       as by increasing the number of high school and college interns placed in
309                       Port of Seattle internships, supporting port-related internship programs
310                       or exploring other strategies to support port-related career-connected
311                       learning.
312
313                    b. Support the placement of opportunity youth 16-24 years old in high-
314                       quality, compensated fellowship, internship, and job opportunities at the
315                       Port and with partner organizations to support port-related career-
316                       connected learning.
317
318   SECTION 6. Program Evaluation.
319
320   The Executive Director, or a delegate, shall establish benchmarks and metrics to include, but
321   not limited to the following:
322
323       A.  Provide an annual report to the Commission no later than April 30th.
324
325          1.  The application of Career Connected Learning best practices  in  Awareness,
326             Experiential, Preparation, and Launch.
327
328          2.  Evaluation  of  the  Port's  workforce  investments  on  an  annual  basis,  using
329             disaggregated data. Report will show how the Port's workforce development
330             resources are utilized to  leverage industry involvement to address evolving
331             workforce training, education and retention demand projections as necessary and to
332             ensure equity, actions outlined in the policy directive shall strive to address the
333             concerns of community members disproportionately impacted.
334
335          3.  Identification of investments, outcomes and progress of the Port's workforce
336             development efforts including, but not limited to:
337
338              (i)     The number youth placed in internships and jobs;
339
340             (ii)     The number of persons trained, recruited, placed in jobs, and retained;
341

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342             (iii)     The types of internships and jobs and range of compensation;
343
344             (iv)     The number and types of businesses that are served;
345
346             (v)     Any other tangible benefits realized by the port, the workers, businesses,
347                    and the public.


















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