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

Meyer Engineered Materials

“Our company received training on ISO9001 / AS9100 implementation. This included bringing our quality management system in line with modern systems. The knowledge we have gained will be essential not only in getting our certificate for AS9100 but also in growing our business in the modern day of aerospace manufacturing." - Connor Smith, General Manager

Meyer Engineered Materials is a small manufacturing company located in Kent, WA that provides the aerospace industry with grinding services for parts requiring very tight tolerances not possible with conventional machining methods. This project is already making an impact on the company's clients, and they have not even completed the entire process for AS9100D certification. Almost everyone in the company is getting trained on the AS9100D certification process — a skill needed in almost every manufacturing company in Puget Sound.  Notable outcomes include:

• Completed 120 training hours for seven employees.
• Hired seven new employees.
• Gained two new clients in 2023.

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2025-2026

Important Dates

2023-2025

Important Dates

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 Recording
• Applicant Webinar Slides
• Application Questions and Answers - updated Apr. 10, 2025

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.

• 2023-25 Trainee, Match, Courses, and Final Report spreadsheet

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.