EMPLOYMENT

Community Employment Opportunities

At Impact 907, we are committed to fostering growing employment opportunities across the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to bridge gaps in employment by addressing challenges and collaborating with communities to create sustainable solutions. We serve communities in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon, working alongside local employers to develop inclusive hiring practices, support flexible work arrangements, and create pathways for career advancement. Our approach includes offering training and education programs tailored to high-demand industries, providing network resources such as childcare and transportation assistance, and facilitating dialogues between employers, job seekers, and community organizations to align workforce development efforts with local needs.

Understanding Regional Employment Challenges

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Alaska: As of 2024, Alaska's unemployment rate stood at 10.5%, with over 40,000 adults seeking employment. This high rate is attributed to declines in key industries such as oil, gas, and construction. Additionally, rural and Indigenous communities face unique barriers, including limited access to training and employment opportunities.

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Washington: In 2024, Washington experienced a U-6 unemployment rate of 9.0%, with notable disparities among racial groups. Black and Hispanic communities faced unemployment rates of 7.0% and 7.3%, respectively, nearly double that of other groups. These figures highlight the need for targeted interventions to address challenges.

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Oregon and Idaho: Both states have emphasized the importance of aligning workforce development with industry needs. Oregon's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) plan focuses on creating comprehensive career pathways and sector strategies to meet the demands of businesses and workers. Similarly, Idaho's WIOA plan integrates education, training, and support services to enhance opportunities for job seekers, particularly those facing employment barriers. 

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Our Strategic Initiatives

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To address these challenges, Impact 907 partners with community leaders to implement the following strategies:

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• Employer Collaboration: We support initiatives that partner with local businesses to develop inclusive hiring practices, support flexible work arrangements, and create pathways for career advancement.

• Skill Development Programs: Impact 907 supports projects offering training and education programs tailored to high-demand industries, ensuring that job seekers acquire relevant skills for today's job market.

• Support Services: Our projects provide resources for employers such as childcare, transportation assistance, and mentorship programs to remove barriers to employment. 

• Community Engagement: Facilitating dialogues between employers, job seekers, and community organizations to align workforce development efforts with local needs allows us to co-build solutions. 

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At Impact 907, we believe employment is more than a paycheck - it’s a pathway to stability, dignity, and community well-being. Our work is grounded in the belief that every individual, regardless of zip code or background deserves access to meaningful and sustainable work. As we navigate evolving workforce needs across Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, we remain committed to connecting communities by building responsive solutions that are rooted in local voices.

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Together with our partners, we’re reshaping the future of work - removing barriers, closing resource gaps, and expanding opportunities one community at a time. Whether you’re a job seeker, business owner, policymaker, or community advocate, we invite you to join us in creating a Northwest where employment systems serve everyone.

Let’s Work Together