Business - Dave Gallagher

POSTED: Sunday, Apr. 12, 2009

Stimulus programs addressing local unemployment

It's a tough time for Whatcom County residents trying to hold onto a job.

Last week it felt like I was spending most of my time trying to keep track of the latest retail store closures. There was also news about Alcoa Intalco Works' possible closure "within weeks" unless the smelter can get a break in electricity costs, putting 500 local manufacturing jobs at risk.

This week, the Employment Security Department will release the local unemployment numbers for March, and I expect it will be higher than February's 8.1 percent.

With all of these job losses taking place, things have been very busy at the WorkSource Northwest center. In March, the Bellingham center on Prospect Street had 6,100 visits, the busiest month ever for that office, said Gary Smith, regional manager. He said the new visitors are from a broad cross section of people with many different skills.

WorkSource has responded by hiring more staff, Smith said, and landing new funding to expand services. Last week, it was announced that the northwest region of Washington (Whatcom, Island, San Juan and Skagit counties) had received $1.5 million to provide training and employment assistance to low-income adults and people who have been laid off. The money is coming from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Another program flying under the radar is one that helps youths and young adults find summer work. The four-county region was awarded $1.16 million to restart the program, which lines up summer jobs in public agencies and non-profit organizations. The program was shelved 12 years ago because it didn't get funding.

The new funding will support 300 jobs in the region, averaging about 32 hours a week through the summer. Of those jobs, 160 will be in Whatcom County. Applications will be available online Friday, April 17, at worksourcenorthwest.com and at nwboard.org. For non-profit agencies interested in participating, call 676-3210.

"The goal is to create jobs in the near-term for youth and young adults," said Alex Kosmides, deputy director at WorkSource Northwest. "It's one way to get money into the economy quickly, while also teaching them the skills that come with working for a business or agency."

It's good timing, considering the current state of the job market. Students can have a difficult time finding summer jobs in the private sector because they may be competing with out-of-work adults looking for at least some temporary work.

While the job market looks grim, Smith said there are opportunities. He said the center has been getting a steady stream of recruiters for such industries as health care and tourism. There are also opportunities for people willing to get some training to make a career switch, such as to welding and marine trades work.

"We're encouraging people to come and see what's available," Smith said. "We have programs in place that help people increase the odds of finding another job."