Workforce & Talent

Conflict brews over ag worker housing project

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 23:00:00 -0400

A group of Mid-Columbia irrigators and the Washington Department of Ecology are sparring over a long-planned housing project for agricultural workers west of Paterson along the Columbia River.

Tyson putting Wallula beef facility up for sale

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 23:00:00 -0400

National meat processor Tyson Foods is downsizing its operations and its plant outside the Tri-Cities is on the block.

Hospitals report years of financial strain

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Financial records show Trios and Lourdes hospitals in the Tri-Cities still struggling years after private equity firm LifePoint's acquisition.

Today’s children could prosper in tomorrow’s shortage of young workers

thenderson@stateline.org — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington’s ‘incredibly frustrated’ public employees call for walkout

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Public employees represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees have announced plans for a statewide walkout on Aug. 31 in response to what they called subpar pay and program cuts.

Why WA’s certification process for home care aides is getting bogged down

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0400

It’s been 15 years since Washington voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative setting new standards for training and certifying home care aides. But while the changes included in Initiative 1163 have improved safety for people receiving care, the certification process for aides has been rife with bottlenecks, according to a new state audit. Most prospective aides don’t even finish the process.

WA postal workers unite for Day of Action to protect the USPS

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Postal workers in Washington state and across the country are joining together for a day of action July 28 to protect the U.S. Postal Service from what organizers call the threat of privatization.

WA education savings plan sees growth

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington’s official investment education savings plan has seen strong growth in the last year, demonstrating an increased demand by families to save for their childrens’ education and career goals.

Study: Tens of millions of unhappy workers stay in jobs because of health insurance

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Nearly one in four U.S. workers – about 23 million adults – are staying put in jobs they want to leave because of the fear of losing healthcare coverage, according to a recent study.

Report: Tri-Cities job market contracts over past year

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Unemployment is markedly worse in the Tri-Cities compared to a year ago according to the latest figures released by the Washington Employment Security Department.

Washington’s Board of Education proposes new high school graduation requirements

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

High school students in Washington may soon have more options to connect coursework with their career plans.

Port HR consultant flags unfinished work in exit report

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The Port of Benton’s contract with an HR consultant has ended, and the consultant’s exit report highlights both progress made in strengthening the port’s culture and processes, and changes still needed.

More Tri-City students are considering trades over four-year degrees

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

CBC’s trade programs filled three months early this year as Tri-Tech Skills Center undergoes a $45 million expansion to meet surging demand for skilled workers.

Report shows impact of workplace-based financial education

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

New research has shown that employees who participated in workplace-based financial education programs had stronger financial knowledge and capability than those who didn’t.

Study: Whether in the World Cup or the workplace, teamwork is the key

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Think you have the best team in the world? Well, that doesn’t matter if you can’t help them get to the goal, according to a WSU study.

Tri-Cities has more workers but also more people out of work

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Unemployment in the Tri-Cities continued its regular seasonal decline in May and more people have jobs than a year ago, but the number of unemployed workers also has grown.

WSU Tri-Cities, regional chamber to launch new business education network

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington State University Tri-Cities and the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce will launch a new entrepreneurial training initiative this fall and they want your input on shaping it.

WA state workers head into difficult wage talks as budget outlook darkens

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

State worker unions expected tough salary conversations this year, even before Gov. Bob Ferguson warned of difficult spending decisions in Washington’s next budget.

Federal energy bill brings mixed news for Hanford, PNNL workers

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Thousands of Tri-Cities workers at the Hanford nuclear site and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are watching a federal budget process that could determine whether a second consecutive year of deep job cuts can be avoided.

Noncompetes are going away. Is your business ready?

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Washington state has banned noncompetition agreements effective about a year from now, and businesses need to start preparing now.

Pasco schools to begin $13.6 million in classroom upgrades

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Pasco School District has kicked off projects aimed at supporting career and technical education, or CTE, in its high schools using proceeds from the bond approved by voters three years ago.

Washington’s average annual wage tops $99,000

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington’s average annual wage grew 4.9% in 2025, according to the state Employment Security Department.

Trump administration $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers struck down

afigueroa@statesnewsroom.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A federal judge in Massachusetts June 8 struck down the Trump administration’s efforts to require a $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled immigrant workers, finding the policy is an unlawful tax.

Ferguson issues executive order supporting workplace accommodations for menopause

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Working women may soon have an easier time navigating a major life change in the workplace.

Recruitment experts give job hunting tips for Washington grads

Sun, 31 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Tri-City high school graduation ceremonies are only days away and those pursuing careers as soon as they have their diplomas are entering one of the most competitive job markets in years.

This site offers one stop for Hanford job seekers

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

A new jobs website aggregates job postings from every prime Hanford site contractor and other energy-adjacent employers such as Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Energy Northwest and Framatome.

Flexible office space finds new home in Richland

Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

This established flexible office and coworking space company has expanded with a new location to serve remote workers, entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Grant to help equip students for high-demand nuclear jobs

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy recently awarded a $1.4 million grant to WSU to develop a Reactor Ready Training Program to address workforce gaps in the nuclear industry.

New Pasco High program connects students to law, public safety careers

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Pasco High School students with an interest in criminal justice careers now have the option to get more exposure to the field before graduating high school.

He asked for a seat – and now he runs the school

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

More than a decade after a Hanford-focused trade school closed, Atomic Technical Institute is helping to fill a gap in training for environmental and nuclear safety jobs, creating a new pathway for workers to enter and advance in a field critical to the region’s workforce.