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. A s 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 developmentgoals 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 anindividual 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 acontinuum 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 theinvoluntary 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 theWashington 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 anindividual 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    "OpportunityYouth" 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-AroundServices" 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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