Event celebrates, showcases King County Jobs Initiative successes

Sept. 16, 2005

Media advisory:

Event celebrates, showcases King County Jobs Initiative successes

Changing lives, building careers and creating financial independence are among the achievements to be highlighted as the King County Jobs Initiative (KCJI) gathers with current and former program participants, employers and other partners to celebrate its eighth anniversary helping lower-income south King County residents achieve employment. King County Executive Ron Sims, who was instrumental in the creation of the innovative workforce development program, will host the celebration, provide opening remarks and award certificates to the participants.

The event will take place:

Saturday Sept. 17, 2005
South Seattle Community College
Jerry Brockey Center
6000 - 16th Avenue SW, Seattle
10:30 a.m. - noon

"I created the King County Jobs Initiative eight years ago to help residents in some of our lowest-income areas receive work training and employment opportunities to earn livable wages and build careers in our communities," said Executive Sims. "I am very proud of the success of this program, its participating partners and employers. Most importantly, I applaud the success of our graduates, who are well on their way to achieving long-term economic stability and independence as a result of their participation in KCJI."

Since 1998, KCJI has served over 1,500 low-income residents in south King County , White Center and West Hill. Almost two-thirds of participants in the program are ethnic minorities. The KCJI is known for its ability to ensure job participants achieve and maintain living wage employment. The program has surpassed all of its goals, including a one-year retention rate of 86 percent of clients remaining in their jobs one year from the date of placement, a significant improvement to the original goal of 65 percent. The average starting wage is $10.70/hour plus benefits, compared to the original goal of $8/hour plus benefits.

The structure of KCJI allows its participants to work exclusively with one account executive, provided through community-based organizations, who stays with the client from the time they are enrolled through job training, placement and retention. It is this relationship between participants and account executives that builds the trust and confidence to help each client achieve individual success.

"My life has totally changed since becoming a part of the King County Jobs Initiative," says Merit Ayelle, a recent participant in the program. Mr. Ayelle settled in White Center in 2002, having left his native Ethiopia because of civil unrest. In 2004, he enrolled into the KCJI through the Center for Career Alternatives and, after completing truck driving instruction at South Seattle Community College , Mr. Ayelle's wages advanced to $22.00 an hour. In July 2004, he had saved up enough money to purchase his own truck and is now an independent driver with projected earnings of approximately $90,000 a year -- all made possible by the job training he first received through the KCJI. Mr. Ayelle is one of several current participants of the program who will share his story at the upcoming celebration.

Executive Sims will be joined at the celebration by Dr. Jill Wakefield, President of South Seattle Community College, other employers and training partners, KCJI account executives and past and present KCJI participants sharing their stories of success. Light refreshments will also be provided.