The Education sector is one of CCW’s 10 high-demand sectors. For each of these high-demand sectors, a CCW Sector Leader develops and supports the implementation of a strategy to meet the workforce needs of employers in their sector through targeted expansion and development of career connected learning programs.

The CCW Sector Leader for Education is the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (CSTP). (Primary contact: Saara Kamal, Program Manager and Facilitator, Saara@cstp-wa.org)

Employers in the Education sector share these themes related to workforce development:

  • Employers report immediate needs for educators across a few key role types and endorsements within the education sector, specifically for educators who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC), those with Special Education endorsements, or with Dual Language endorsements. Because of the 2018 Washington State Inclusionary Practices Project (IPP) to increase student access to core instruction and general education settings, many more students with IEPs are now served in general education settings for 80% or more of the school day. This requires the teacher workforce to be trained to best support students with learning disabilities to meet their needs in an integrated learning environment. The core value of OSPI’s commitment to equity led to an increased need for BIPOC educators as the overwhelming majority of the teacher population and administration is White, while the student population is over 50% students of color. The need for increased numbers in both the paraeducator role and substitute role is also a priority as it is one of the best methods for sourcing local talented educators from within the community and providing much-needed in classroom support as classroom sizes have gotten larger.
  • Employers also comment on the fact that there needs to be a gentle and caring handoff between stages of the journey for a prospective educator across the different pathways from recruitment to a program, completion of a certificate and or degree, to employment within a district and progression in their growth professional development. A key need is for better bridges between programs and working collaboratively.

Employers in the Education sector indicate these occupations are high-priority for the expansion or development of education and training programs to meet their hiring needs:

  • Special Education endorsed teachers
  • Bilingual/Multilingual Learner endorsed educators
  • Thriving BIPOC educators
  • Certificated paraeducators

Interested in learning more about the career connected learning programs that can help meet these needs? You can see a brief overview here. Take a look at the full 2024 Education sector strategy for more detailed information and recommendations.

For more information, please reach out to the Sector Leader using the contact information above. You can also access the original 2023 Education sector strategy here, which provides more detailed data and information about the sector.