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Content current as of 01/13/26

Workforce Development Programs

Workforce Development Programs aim to increase employment opportunities for City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities Service Area residents through education and training.

Tacoma takes pride in their support of schools, community, and programs that help our residents find sustainable living wage jobs. From apprenticeship and internship programs to environmental education, we provide resources for elementary schools, youth, young adults, and beyond.

Find out what’s happening around the state-View workshops, seminars, and other events on the state’s Apprenticeship Calendar, learn about upcoming City of Tacoma events on the Events Calendar, and view the Pierce County Library System’s Events Calendar.

 

Contact

Deborah Trevorrow
Workforce Programs & Economic Development Analyst

(253) 591-5590

747 Market Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

Hours:
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

City of Tacoma Workforce Programs

Tacoma Public Utilities has several apprenticeship tracks through Tacoma Power and Tacoma Water.

Tacoma Power and Water Apprenticeships

The EnviroChallenger program teaches free environmental lessons with a mix of science, social responsibility, and fun in Tacoma’s second through eighth grade classrooms and for home-schooled students. All the lessons include supplies and support state-standardized test objectives. When you need engaging, high-quality environmental science lessons, bring in the EnviroChallengers!

Learn more
  • Overview: This EPA-funded program, a unique collaboration between the EPA, the City of Tacoma, Clover Park Technical College, and Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region, this free job training program empowers residents to enter high-demand environmental careers. The City received one of 25 awards from the EPA for 2023 Brownfields Job Training! With this grant, the City of Tacoma plans to train 140 participants, have 105 graduates, and place at least 79 graduates in environmental jobs. The City first received EPA funding in 1996 for Brownfields Assessments, then again in 2000, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2023 for Brownfields and Environmental Job Training. The City’s Local Employment and Apprenticeship Training Program has been funded for providing opportunities to residents for over 20 years. Goodwill Olympics & Rainier Region is responsible for outreach and recruitment, case management, and job assistance.
    Clover Park Technical College is responsible for training.
  • Contact: For registration and related questions, contact our recruiting and case management provider, Goodwill at careerhub@goodwillwa.org.
  • Earn industry-recognized certifications:
    • 40-Hour HAZWOPER
    • Forklift Operator
    • Flagger
    • Asbestos Worker
    • OSHA 10
    • First Aid/CPR
    • LEAD Renovation, Repair, and Painting (Lead RRP)

Career Pathways for graduates:

  • Environmental Remediation
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Construction & Materials Moving
  • Emergency Management

Careerhub@goodwill.org
(253) 573-6508

Learn more or register

 

Jobs 253 offers Tacoma Public Schools’ incoming juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn high school credit for graduation and the opportunity to gain meaningful work experience.

Learn more

The City of Tacoma offers many internships throughout the year, including one through Tacoma Power for Electrical Engineers. Please refer to the City’s Job Hub web page for available internships.

Electrical Engineering Internship

City of Tacoma’s Job Hub

The Tacoma Training and Employment Program (TTEP) aims to level the playing field with training, resources, and employment opportunities so that more people can earn better wages.

Purpose

  1. Provide for the development of a trained and capable workforce by providing training and education opportunities to residents of Tacoma and residents of the Economically Distressed Areas of the Tacoma Public Utilities Service Area.
  2. Increase employment, training, and resource access to people who reside in the city of Tacoma and Economically Distressed Areas of Tacoma and in the Tacoma Public Utilities Service Area to directly combat poverty, to promote economic development, equity, and economic inclusion.
  3. Support a local workforce that represents and reflects the diverse population of city residents.

TTEP is funded by the City of Tacoma (General Government and Tacoma Public Utilities) and includes several organizations in a broad-based collaborative partnership.

For more information on this program, please contact Kacee Woods, Business & Economic Development Manager, at kwoods@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-5075.

Learn more
Kacee Woods

Are you, a friend, family member, or neighbor—ready to take the next step toward a brighter future? Training programs offered by Clover Park Technical College (CPTC)  in high-wage, high-demand career fields are beginning at the Eastside Training Center.

Key Information:

  • Weekly Welcome Sessions: Every Friday from 8 a.m.–12 noon at the Eastside Training Center (6002 East McKinley Ave). Staff will be available to answer questions, assist with enrollment, explore funding options, and provide tours.

New Training from Clover Park Technical College and Workforce Central funded through a Quality Green Jobs grant: 

  • Heating & Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Service Technician – 4-quarter program – Train for careers as service techs, maintenance techs, assemblers, and installers.
  • Electrician Low Voltage Fire/Security – 5-quarter program – Train for careers as alarm-system installers, service technicians, and apprentices in fire/security systems.

Key Points: 

  • Open to adults 18 and older
  • High school graduation is not required
  • Thanks to Workforce Central’s grant, there is no cost to participants
  • Participants must live in one of the following zip codes:
    98446, 98445, 98444, 98443, 98424, 98421, 98418, 98409, 98408, 98405, 98404, 98402
  • Classes will be held Monday–Friday, 12:00–5:00 p.m. at the Eastside Training Center (6002 E. McKinley)
  • Both programs lead to family-wage jobs and offer an Associate of Applied Technology degree:
  • Students starting in winter quarter are eligible for the degree option at no cost; students entering a possible spring cohort will be eligible for a certificate at no cost.
  • Employment support will be provided after training

For more details about the Eastside Training Center and available programs, please visit https://www.cptc.edu/Eastside.

Start your clean energy career in a booming industry and train for an entry-level position in HVAC or an allied field.

Emerald Cities Collaborative is partnering with Clover Park Technical College to expand access to the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry and allied fields by helping more people earn relevant credentials and complete on-the-job training.

For more information, contact Roz Jenkins at (360) 970-3591 or rjenkins@emeraldcities.org.

Program Flyer

Contact

Deborah Trevorrow
Workforce Programs & Economic Development Analyst

(253) 591-5590

747 Market Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

Hours:
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.