RFP for Sector Leaders is now open, with proposals due March 28th and announcement of successful bidders April 25th.

Washington’s Employment Security Department is seeking proposals from, “highly qualified entities with established connections to employers in specific industry sectors” to take on leadership in specific sectors, working with industry to develop and implement sector strategies to scale career connected learning. As their website states, “Career Connect Washington brings together a broad coalition—including four-year colleges, community and technical colleges, K12 educators, labor, workforce development organizations, and the legislature and governor—each committed to the success of every student.”

Activities in the grant intend to promote collaboration and coherence for employers to grow career connected learning. This could include cataloguing employer needs, scaling existing programs, working with system actors to build new programs to fill gaps and meet employers’ needs or growing student participation within career connected learning programs.

Multiple contracts will be awarded from this RFP, but only one per industry sector, with ESD not pre-determining which sectors will be selected for award. Each contract will range between $200,000 and $300,000, with a period of performance roughly from award announcement in April 2025 through June 30, 2027. 

Need assistance with writing, editing, submission or anything else related to a successful application? We bring experience in Washington, in overseeing Career Connect programs, running a Center of Excellence and in successfully applying for Career Connect Washington funding. Get in touch via LinkedIn.

Read more and find out how to apply at Career Connect Washington.