Updates Archives - Partnership for Learning

Industry Associations & Early Talent Development: Resources from the Field

Washington employers need talent, and industry associations are uniquely positioned to help build it.

Partnership for Learning convened an Industry Association Action Lab in September 2025 with four statewide sector leaders in tech, clean energy, finance, and life sciences. Together, associations explored how they are translating employer workforce needs into scalable, equitable career connected learning, and what it takes to make that work sustainable and impactful for employer members.

Three resources grew directly out of that conversation. They are grounded in the real experiences of association leaders and designed to help associations, employers, and educators take action.

Owning the Talent Pipeline: How WA Banks are Building Their Workforce

Washington’s finance sector is growing, but employers face challenges finding skilled, entry-level talent and building a more diverse workforce. The Washington Bankers Association (WBA) is addressing this issue by partnering with education systems and leading a sector-wide talent pipeline strategy, bringing together high school students, adult learners, and employers through career-connected learning.

In this spotlight, you’ll learn:

The key workforce challenges facing banking employers
How industry-backed programs prepare job-ready candidates
The role of education–industry partnerships in scaling career pathways
Practical steps industry associations can take to build early talent approaches for their sectors

READ THE SPOTLIGHT

Roadmap to ROI: A Guide for Employers Exploring Early Talent

Employers play a critical role in building strong talent pipelines and expanding opportunity for young people. The Roadmap to ROI infographic—developed with insights from employers and industry leaders—outlines key planning and decision points to help companies design, pilot, and grow early talent initiatives.

This resource can help employers align early talent programs with business needs while strengthening partnerships across education and industry.

Thank you to the members of the Career Connect Washington Business and Philanthropy Leadership Group for their insights and leadership in shaping this resource.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE

Webinar: The Early Talent Advantage: Turning Internships Into ROI

How Washington Employers Are Building High-Value Internship and Student Development Programs

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Washington employers are creating internship and student development programs that not only strengthen workforce pipelines but also deliver long-term returns on investment. In a recent virtual event, leaders from Boeing, Fred Hutch, and Wagstaff, Inc., shared strategies for designing high-impact internships that provide meaningful experiences for students while meeting company talent needs.

The discussion explored how intentional program design and alignment with broader workforce goals can make internships more effective and sustainable.

Watch the event recording and review the presentation slides to learn more about how Washington employers are investing in the next generation of talent, and making it pay off.

Download the Early Talent Advantage Playbook for a summary of practical models, employer case studies, and low-lift ways to get started, supporting both increased credential attainment and stronger workforce outcomes across Washington.

2025 Report: Employer Leadership in Early Talent Development

Washington’s economy has long been a national leader, driven by innovation, strong private sector growth, and a talented workforce. Last year, research projected more than 1.5 million job openings in our state through 2032, with 75% requiring postsecondary credentials. Washington students are eager to seize this opportunity: 86% aspire to complete a credential beyond high school.

However, without systemic change to scale up enrollment and credential production, Washington will experience a shortfall of nearly 600,000 credentialed workers needed by 2032.

To safeguard Washington’s economic vitality and expand opportunity for its residents, our state must build a stronger, more aligned talent pipeline that empowers and compels more students and adults to earn credentials necessary for living-wage jobs and long-term economic mobility. High-quality, career connected learning that intentionally integrates education with career and credential pathways is one critical solution for both employers and students.

Learn more about employers who are leading on this early talent development strategy in the 2025 Employer Leadership Report for Career Connect Washington.

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Washington High School Seniors Commit to STEM Futures at Celebratory Signing Day

High school seniors and new graduates from across Washington state were honored today at STEM Signing Day, an event hosted by Boeing and held in partnership with the Seattle Seahawks and Partnership for Learning. Modeled after college signing days for athletes, the annual celebration recognizes students committed to pursuing postsecondary education and credentials in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).

Skill Up For Our Future: Priority Occupation Cluster, Advanced Computing & Tech

REPORT: Washington’s advanced computing and technology sector is growing fast—already making up 21.8% of the state’s GDP, the highest in the country. Over the next decade, demand for software developers, computer support specialists, and systems analysts will surge, with 128,000 job openings expected by 2032. Despite this demand, there’s a critical skills gap: 84% of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the state is on track to produce 35,000 fewer qualified workers than needed.

Path to 70% Update: Postsecondary Enrollment Recovery Falling Short of Workforce Needs (February 2025)

REPORT: Recent postsecondary enrollment trends reveal the challenge of meeting projected demand for workers with degrees, apprenticeships, and high-value industry certifications. After years of stagnation, enrollment at Washington’s colleges and universities plummeted during the pandemic. Community and technical colleges (CTCs) lost over 53,000 students—a 24% decline—from fall 2019 and fall 2022, while public baccalaureate institutions lost 10,000 resident undergraduates (an 11% drop).

REPORT: Washington Roundtable, Partnership for Learning, and Kinetic West released a new report, Skill Up for Our Future, taking a deep dive into what Washington’s economy will look like through 2032 and where the opportunities and challenges lie for our workforce.

Partnership for Learning Steps into a leadership role with Career Connect Washington

We are excited to take a leadership role with the Career Connect Washington initiative (CCW), working alongside partners from Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), Washington STEM, and the Employment Security Department. As part of this new public-private leadership group, we are committed to supporting education-to-career pathways that equip today’s students to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce.

Category: Updates