Strengthening Kitsap’s Workforce: A Year-Round Commitment to Economic Growth

Workforce Development Month is recognized every September and serves as a reminder of a skilled and adaptable workforce's crucial role in driving economic growth and fostering a competitive business environment. Even though the official month has passed, the initiatives and strategies that support workforce development are relevant year-round. In Kitsap County, workforce development focuses on job creation and equipping businesses with the right talent to thrive in today's dynamic economy.

One local leader with firsthand experience of the evolving workforce landscape is Kristal Thomas, Owner & CEO of Express Employment Professionals in Bremerton. Thomas emphasizes Kitsap's unique positioning, particularly with the presence of the Naval Shipyard and military families, which provides the region with significant workforce opportunities. She notes that the region often sees an influx of retired military and their spouses, and businesses should leverage this influx, primarily through remote work opportunities. She also believes that businesses can benefit from a remote work model with the proper accountability and tracking.

Challenges and Opportunities in Kitsap's Workforce

Like many regions, Kitsap County faces the skills gap. As the aging workforce retires, employers need help finding workers with specialized skills. Thomas suggests that upskilling the incoming workforce is the solution, which can be achieved by tapping into local resources such as Olympic College and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program with WorkSource. She also highlights the need for businesses to implement mentorship programs, even offering bonuses for senior employees to share their expertise with new hires.

Kitsap's strength, however, lies in its tight-knit community. Thomas states this sense of community is a significant draw for incoming high-level employees and their families, making Kitsap an attractive place to live and work.

Navigating the Current Labor Market

As the local economy continues to evolve, small and medium-sized businesses in Kitsap face the challenge of finding and retaining talent. Thomas and her team at Express Employment Professionals help these businesses streamline their hiring processes through customized solutions. By utilizing several digital tools to understand pay ranges, workforce demographics, and skills gaps, businesses can make informed decisions, from offering competitive wages to adjusting job qualifications to match the available talent pool. Thomas states, “ Employees are looking for mentorship, growth opportunities, skills improvement, a culture that matches their values, and flexibility in their work schedule. We try to help our clients get creative with what they offer to ensure they retain the great employees they have invested so much time into training; this makes the biggest impact as turnover has a high dollar cost and a high energy cost on current management and staff.”

One key advantage Express offers is speeding up the hiring process using AI-driven tools. This reduces the time to post, screen, and onboard employees from several weeks to just a few days, which is crucial in the current competitive labor market.

Building an Engaged Workforce

Retaining employees is just as important as hiring them. Thomas, a certified trainer in The 6 Types of Working Genius, incorporates these principles to improve workforce engagement and reduce turnover. Thomas says, “Working Genius is at its core a productivity tool to help people understand the 2 areas they get energy from, the 2 areas that deplete their energy and the 2 neutral areas. This model helps to organize your work day or choose the job or career that best matches working in your genius so that you can gain energy from your work.” Thomas emphasizes, “This is huge in reducing turnover! If a company utilizes this training to set up their hiring, onboarding, and coaching with Working Genius in mind, teams will be more productive, avoid burnout, and have way more fun at work.”

Ultimately, workforce development is not a one-month initiative but a year-round effort that supports businesses and strengthens the local economy. With its unique community strengths and strategic resources, Kitsap County is well-positioned to continue building a resilient and dynamic workforce for the future. Visit the KEDA website to learn about their 5 year Strategic Plan to learn more about our work in workforce development and learn how you can contribute to our shared vision. Together, we can continue to create a thriving and sustainable economy for future generations. Contact us today to get involved.