Job Skills Program (JSP) Grant
Update
Note: The FY25 round 2 grant applications are now closed, and funding has been awarded. We will conduct a funding survey in October to assess the possibility of allocating additional funds to projects.
40 Years of Impact
The Job Skills Program (JSP) – started in 1983 to enhance economic development through short-term customized training – is now 40 years old. From 2,256 employees trained in the biennium 1983-1985, the program has grown and trained more than 75,000 employees in Washington State.
For the biennium 2021-2023, JSP awarded grants to 126 projects and, in partnership with community colleges, completed training for 8,163 employees. The graphs below describe the businesses that benefited from JSP funding.
JSP Grant Distribution across Washington State
Size of Businesses Served by JSP Grants for FY 21-23
Grants by Industry for FY 21-23
The industry count is based on the best match for businesses participating in each project. For consortia projects, the industry count is based on the business partner with the biggest number of employees.
The manufacturing sector is composed of businesses engaged in aerospace, food production and processing, wood/paper products production, naval, high tech, auto, composites, marine, transportation, medical devices, chemicals, electronics, pharmaceutical, and handbags production.
Non-manufacturing related include businesses in agriculture, construction, retail/wholesale, hospitals and medical services, environmental services, gaming and hospitality, and non-profit.
The program awards grants to licensed educational institutions in Washington. JSP funds half of the training cost. Partner employers provide cash or in-kind match to fund the other half.
Funds are awarded on a first-approved, rolling basis throughout the fiscal year. Applications are reviewed by a standing sub-committee of the Workforce Training Customer Advisory Committee.
Impacts
Aerojet Rocketdyne
“JSP was very beneficial to us. The training provided by this grant helped our organization to invest in valuable skill development and create more opportunities for employees to move up internally." - Darin Holcombe, HR Manager
This project addressed critical skills gaps at Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Redmond location. The original training proposal was approved two years ago and an extension was approved through June 2023. Production needs caused some training to be canceled near the end of the grant year. Notable outcomes include:
- Completed 379 training hours for 309 employees.
- Since January 2023, added over 50 net jobs.
- Two manufacturing engineers on track to get their DOL (Department of Labor) certification; two more in progress.
Contact
Carolyn McKinnon
Policy Associate, Workforce Education
cmckinnon@sbctc.edu
360-704-3903
VACANT
Program Administrator, Workforce Education
360-704-4332
2025-2026
Important Dates
| Milestones | Key Dates |
|---|---|
| FY26 Application available in OGMS | April 3, 2025 |
| Application Webinar (participation optional) | April 10, 2025 |
| FY26 Round 1 Application Deadline | May 8, 2025 |
| FY26 Round 1 Funds available/grant start | July 1, 2025 |
2023-2025
Important Dates
| Milestones | Key Dates |
|---|---|
| Final budget revision deadline for grants ending June 30, 2025 | June 15, 2025 |
| Final report deadline for grants ending June 30, 2025 | July 9, 2025 |
| Final day to submit invoices for FY25 expenses | July 15, 2025 |
2025-26 Program Guidelines and Resources
The following documents provide detailed information about how grant funds can be used, who can apply, the application process and deadlines.
- 2025-26 JSP Program and Fiscal Guidelines
- 2025-26 JSP Assurances
- 2025-26 Trainee, Match, Course, and Outcomes Spreadsheet
- Applicant Webinar - Apr. 10, 2025, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86064765589
- Applicant Webinar Recording - coming soon
- Applicant Webinar Slides - coming soon
- Application Questions and Answers - coming soon
2024-25 Program Guidelines and Resources
The following documents provide detailed information about how grant funds can be used, who can apply, the application process and deadlines.
- 2024-25 JSP Program Guidelines
- 2024-25 JSP Fiscal Guidelines
- 2024-25 JSP Assurances
- Applicant Webinar Recording
- Applicant Webinar Slides
- Application Questions and Answers (last update: April 22, 2024)
Final Grant Report
A final report summarizing the outcomes(s) for this grant is required of all JSP projects. Reports must be uploaded in OGMS to the "Attachments" section of each approved grant application. See the list of important dates for deadlines.
Reports to Legislature
Job Skills Program reports are submitted by the State Board for Community and Technical colleges to the Washington State Legislature in fulfillment of RCW 28C.04.420 Job skills program — Grants — Reports.
- 2023-25 Job Skills progress report
- 2021-23 Job Skills biennial report
- 2019-21 Job Skills biennial report
Reports from prior years are available upon request.
