Washington’s lawmakers faced a daunting challenge this year—closing a budget deficit of more than $13 billion. While it’s a relief that a balanced budget was passed, it came at the cost of deep cuts to workforce development funding.
Programs like Economic Security for All (EcSA), which help Washingtonians prepare for in-demand jobs and support federal infrastructure goals, saw funding slashed by nearly 40%. At a time when historic federal investments are creating pathways to good careers in infrastructure and clean energy, cutting the very programs that connect workers to those opportunities is a step in the wrong direction.
Washington should restore state investments as soon as possible, and the state should use this opportunity to direct federal dollars to help Washingtonians enter infrastructure and clean energy careers—standing up to some in Congress who seek to claw it back.
At the same time, Governor Ferguson can deploy WIOA Governor’s Reserve Funds to launch a statewide sector strategy that sustains critical workforce and support services, helping to fill the gap left by state and federal budget cuts. By investing these flexible dollars in coordinated, industry-aligned training efforts and wraparound supports, Washington can ensure that federal infrastructure investments translate into real opportunity for workers across the state—especially those in historically underserved communities.
Governor Ferguson and the legislature have the chance to lead the country in building a future-ready workforce that powers our clean energy future, upgrades our roads and bridges, and expands broadband access statewide. But that future depends on more than concrete and cables—it depends on people. And people need support to seize opportunity.
Without targeted investments in workforce training and supports, many Washingtonians—especially those from historically underserved communities—are far less likely to access the training and careers these dollars are designed to deliver.
The state is at a pivotal moment, and there are several steps that Governor Ferguson and lawmakers can take to invest taxpayer dollars efficiently and create a lasting economic opportunity for Washingtonians.
These steps aren’t just good policy—they’re good economics. Research consistently shows that investments in workforce development yield strong returns: higher wages, lower unemployment, and greater economic mobility. For instance, earning a certificate or credential in a high-demand field through workforce training can boost wages by 30 percent or more. And wraparound supports like child care can be the difference between a worker completing a training program or having to put their plans on hold.
Washington cannot cut its way to prosperity. By preserving smart, targeted workforce investments and coordinating efforts across agencies, Governor Ferguson and the legislature can turn a moment of temporary fiscal strain into a launchpad for long-term economic growth. The choices made now will shape not just the state’s budget, but its future. Let’s make them count.
State leaders and advocates are driving bold workforce and skills policies that create real opportunities for workers and businesses. Watch The Fight For Skills & Good Jobs in the States recorded session from NSC’s 2025 Skills Summit which highlights effective strategies for advancing skills agendas, engaging policymakers, and building momentum. Hear state perspectives, gain insights from state successes, and pick up actionable ideas to strengthen your own advocacy efforts.
Featuring:
-Sarita Nair, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
-Danielle Barringer-Payton, Director of the Opportunity Youth Coalition, Invest in Louisiana
-Therese Daly, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of New York State
-Melissa Johnson, Managing Director, State Strategies, National Skills Coalition
