WorkSource Columbia Basin - Benton and Franklin Counties

Career Path Services provides adult, youth, and dislocated worker services to Benton and Franklin Counties at WorkSource Columbia Basin, 815 N. Kellogg St., Kennewick, WA. We asked the WIA Operations Manager, Kayci Loftus, a few questions about how the programs work:

(1) Can you give us a brief overview of the programs you manage, and your role as the operations manager?

I oversee the Adult, Youth, and Dislocated Worker programs at WSCB. Both the Adult and Youth programs are income based programs, assisting disadvantaged adults and youth to either re-enter high school for diploma attainment or obtain their GED.  We also work to help them complete training, earn an occupational skills certificate, and connect them to post secondary education or employment within in-demand occupations. The ultimate goal is self-sufficiency.

With the Dislocated Workers program, we work with individuals who have been laid off, at no fault of their own, from declining occupations. Our program can assist with short-term training which enables them to be reconnected to the labor market in in-demand occupations.

My role as manager is to approve all registrations, support services vouchers, individual training accounts, vocational education expenditures, on the job training, work experiences, provide technical assistance on data entry in SKIES, and create performance goals and practitioner budgets.

(2) What are some of the benefits to employers that hire people from your program?

We assist with WOTC paperwork, can offer work experience opportunities, on the job training, bonding assistance for those applicants with criminal backgrounds and retention services.

Note: Although not provided by the WSCB, there are numerous tax benefits employers can take advantage of as well when hiring through one of our programs!

(3) Who can benefit from your programs, and what are some of the specific requirements for each one?

Youth and Adult Eligibility: You are16 years or older, a citizen of US or eligible non-citizen, are registered with Selective Service (if male and low income.

Dislocated Worker Eligibility: You recently lost your job through no fault of your own and are unlikely to return to the previous occupation or industry; or a displaced homemaker who has been dependent on the income of a family member but are no longer supported by that income and are experiencing difficulty obtaining or retaining employment.

(4) What are the general steps a customer seeking employment takes to become employed through your programs?

1. Complete application and eligibility paperwork
2. Complete training research packet if interested in training
3. Complete training or certification program---earn degree or certificate
4. Complete work experience and/or OJT (On The Job training)
5. Intensive job search with Employment Specialist, mock interviews, etc.
6. Become employed!

(5) How do job seekers looking for placement assistance generally find out about and contact your offices?

Inter-agency referrals, newspaper ads, craigslist ads, and public service announcements.

(6) Do you have any advice you would give to individuals seeking job placement assistance? Any advice for employers who may hire these individuals?

Applicants: Be patient and follow the process. Our workforce may seem limited right now, but there are good paying jobs out there.

Employers: take advantage of the program incentives. Essentially we are throwing money your way with WEX and OJT dollars and WOTC paperwork!

For more information, please contact us using the numbers or address bellow for the Tri-cities location.