“Port Jobs performs a critical function for our community in terms of connecting community members with skills and the possibility to get good paying port jobs,” Commissioner John Creighton.
Last week Port Jobs received a major vote of approval from Port of Seattle Commission. The Commission voted to extend Port Job’s contract for an additional three years. This vote of confidence means that the Commissioners determined funding for Port Jobs is within the core mission of the Port. Rob Holland, Port of Seattle Commissioner said, “this has very much been a social justice concern of the commission and the port itself.”
During deliberation Gael Tarleton praised Port Jobs’ success, “Jobs are being created and people’s jobs are being saved. I can’t possibly imagine the extraordinary turmoil that will happen if we were to change the current situation.” Tarleton shared how she had recently attended a Port Job’s community meeting with truck drivers and had a chance to observe how a broad array of services we pulled together to help them through an extraordinarily difficult economic time. She noted that Port Jobs is successful because multiple public agencies – including the State of Washington, City of Seattle and King County – provide funds to Port Jobs address the work force needs and development priorities of their organizations.
Port Jobs served more than 10,000 King County residents in 2009.
Heather Worthley
Port Jobs Executive Director
PORT JOBS RECEIVES FUNDING AND IN-KIND SUPPORT FROM THE PORT OF SEATTLE