Resource Guide
More than 70 free and low-cost government services are available to help Seattle industrial firms. Seattle First can help connect you with each and every one of them.
Work Force: Labor Supply
• King County Worksource can help businesses find and screen job candidates in hundreds of occupations. Learn more by calling 206-436-8600.
• Employee recruitment, retention and training are available through the Seattle Jobs Initiative at 206-628-6975.
• Grants to support customized training for new and expanding businesses are available through the State of Washington’s Job Skills Program. 360-753-3650.
• Employers who may be laying off workers should contact the Shared Work Program of the State of Washington. The program will help employers learn how to set up jobs that can be shared by workers as an alterantive to layoffs. 800.752-2500.
Work Force: Employment Hiring Incentives
Business and Occupation Tax Credit for New Jobs
A $2,000 or $4,000 (if wages exceed $40,000) credit against the business and occupation tax is available for each new employment position created and filled by a manufacturing, research and development, or computer service firm in community empowerment zones. The credit applies to new businesses in the CEZ, or a business increasing their workforce by 15% in the last year. Prior application with the Department of Revenue is required.
Contact: Washington State Department of Revenue at http://dor.wa.gov or 206-956-3002
Work Opportunity Tax Credit -- Federal tax credit up to $2,400 for new hires from groups that have high unemployment rates or other special employment needs. These groups include, but are not limited to veterans, ex-felons, youth from specific areas, or citizens receiving assistance. Contact: IRS- www.irs.gov or IRS form 5884
Welfare to Work Wage Credit -- Two-year federal tax credit for hiring long-term family assistance recipients. The credit is available for 35% of the employees first-year qualified wages and 50% for the second-year wages. Contact: IRS- www.irs.gov or IRS form 8861
Work Force: Employee Training Incentives
Washington’s Job Skills Program (JSP) -Funds half the cost of a customized training program for new or current employees for a business. Employers provide a cash or in-kind match to fund the other half. The training can be provided at the work site or in a classroom. JSP’s central focus is to provide training and employment opportunities for the unemployed, or those at risk of losing their jobs due to technological or economic changes. Funding is provided through licensed educational institutions in Washington.
Credit for Job Training Services -Twenty percent of the cost spent on job training by firms eligible for the Empowerment Zone sales tax deferral/exemption may be taken as a business and occupation tax credit. The training is required to enhance job performance in a state-approved program sponsored or provided by the employer. The amount of credit for a particular firm is limited to $5,000 annually. Contact: Washington State Department of Revenue at http://dor.wa.gov or 206-956-3002
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) -WorkSource can fund training costs for WIA eligible new applicants for entry level positions and on-the-job (OTJ) training costs for incumbent workers selected for advancement for higher skilled positions. Contact: Worksource at www.worsourceskc.org or 206-436-8600
