RESOLUTION NO. 3776
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A RESOLUTION of the Port of Seattle Commission establishing a Workforce
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Development Policy Directive to guide the increase in the number
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of skilled employees within the industries necessary for Port
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development.
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle is committed to creating economic opportunity for all,
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steward our environment responsibly, partner with surrounding communities, promote social
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responsibility, conduct ourselves transparently, and hold ourselves accountable;
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission believes that workforce development is
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critical to achieving the Port’s primary mission to serve as an economic development agency
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generating jobs and economic growth for the region and increasing operational efficiency and
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economic mobility;
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WHEREAS, the Port has been directly engaged in workforce development efforts and
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initiatives for over 25 years;
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WHEREAS, the Port created Port Jobs, a workforce intermediary to bring together
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business, labor, education, and public stakeholders to expand opportunities to build a thriving,
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competitive Port economy,
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WHEREAS, the Port has funded ANEW’s Apprenticeship Opportunities Project, which
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helps under-employed and unemployed jobseekers to find livable wage jobs or apprenticeships
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and offers limited financial assistance to qualified individuals, and
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WHEREAS, the Port supports the Youth Maritime Collaborative, which works to create
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career pathways for youth pursuing careers in the maritime industry through experiential
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learning and high school internships;
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WHEREAS, the Port supports Career Connected Learning best practices as guided by the
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State of Washington;
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WHEREAS, on July 1, 2014, the Port Commission passed a Motion “Increasing Workforce
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Development and Career Opportunities Activities” that required the creation of a strategic plan
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and implementation of polices to improve upon and expand workforce efforts in port-related
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industries;
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WHEREAS, on July 22, 2014, the Port Commission adopted Resolution No. 3694 to
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ensure necessary hiring standards, training opportunities and minimum compensation
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requirements to maintain a well-trained workforce at Sea-Tac Airport as part of a Quality Jobs
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Initiative;
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Item Number: 7b_draft_reso
Meeting Date: June 23, 2020
WHEREAS, on November 28, 2017, the Port Commission established the Priority Hire
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Policy Directive to increase the diversity of the workforce on Port construction projects which
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accounts for some the largest infrastructure investments in the region;
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WHEREAS, on March 26, 2019, the Port Commission established the first ever
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Workforce Development Special Committee, which was charted to review the Century Agenda
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strategy associated with Workforce Development and to review and make recommendations
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for updating the workforce development policy and the three-year strategic plan;
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WHEREAS, in 2019, the Port of Seattle became the first port authority in the nation to
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create a stand-alone department responsible for equity, diversity.
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle recognizes that equity, diversity and inclusion is the
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foundation of effective workforce development.
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle is committed ensuring equity, actions outlined in this
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policy directive shall strive to address the concerns of community members disproportionately
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impacted as a result of institutional racism and generational poverty.
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WHEREAS, the Port Commission finds it is a benefit to the Port, related industry
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partners and near-Port communities to center diversity, equity, and inclusion to broaden
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opportunities, for populations facing barriers to employment for persons to learn and develop
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the skills necessary to obtain quality jobs;
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WHEREAS, the Port Commission has long demonstrated its commitment to advancing
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regional workforce development opportunities, but has not been presented with the
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opportunity to formally consider adoption of a workforce development policy directive to guide
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the efforts of the Port of Seattle until today.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Port Commission of the Port of Seattle as
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follows:
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Section 1. The Workforce Development Policy Directive as shown in the attached
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Exhibit A is hereby established in accordance with the following goals and accountability
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measures:
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A. Goal 1: Increase Equitable Access to Economic Prosperity. Increase equitable workforce
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access for the trades in port-related economic activities, with an emphasis on expanding
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opportunities to disproportionately impacted near-port communities which most
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disproportionately impacted. Port staff will develop program priorities, actions,
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benchmarks, and metrics for success.
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B. Goal 2: Leverage Port’s Impact and Innovation. Identify and prioritize opportunities for
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leadership and influence to promote a sector-based approach to workforce
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development centered on equity, diversity and inclusion.
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C. Accountability Measures. The Port will assure its programs are accountable by annually
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assessing the number of students that receive skills and job training; the number of
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workers trained, recruited, placed in jobs, and retained; the types of jobs and range of
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compensation; the number and types of businesses that are served; and any other
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tangible benefits realized by the port, the workers, businesses, and the public.
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Section 2. The Policy Directive contained in Exhibit A and attached to this Resolution
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shall be labeled and cataloged as appropriate, together with other Commission Policy
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Directives, and shall be made readily available for use by Port staff and members of the public
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as a governance document of the Port of Seattle.
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ADOPTED by the Port Commission of the Port of Seattle, at a duly noticed meeting held
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this 14
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day of July, 2020, and duly authenticated in open session by the signatures of the
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Commissioners voting in favor thereof and the seal of the Commission.
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Port Commissioners
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