Every week, WorkSource has hundreds of qualified job seekers walking through our doors, looking for help with discovering their next step. These job seekers can access free resume reviews, workshops, career guidance, mock interviews, and in some cases: job training and support services that can help remove barriers from returning to work.
But thanks to our Business Services team, we also work directly with companies to help them find candidates for their open positions.
Vancouver Clinic is one of WorkSource’s employer partners. Founded 89 years ago, the local healthcare provider offers a wide range of medical services, including primary, specialty, surgical, and urgent care. With over 2,100 employees, Vancouver Clinic is an important keystone in Southwest Washington’s healthcare community.
Since 2018, WorkSource customers have completed three apprenticeships and eighteen On-the-Job Trainings—a wage reimbursement program that allows businesses to take a risk on new talent, with a minimized financial investment. In total, WorkSource has paid $64,369 in training dollars to Vancouver Clinic.
Suzanne Sparhawk, the Senior Recruiter at Vancouver Clinic, works to identify and recruit talent to support their clinical positions through the entirety of their organization. “One of the most rewarding aspects of my work,” says Sparhawk, “is knowing that my efforts have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of other people.”
WorkSource and Vancouver Clinic began working together after Sparhawk was introduced to WorkSource Business Services Navigator, Karin LaValla, by Sean Moore—the Senior Project Manager for Healthcare at Workforce Southwest Washington. From there, Sparhawk and LaValla began working closely together, to see how WorkSource could help fulfill Vancouver Clinic’s staffing needs.
How we work with employers is multi-faceted, but the primary method of creating a talent pipeline is through communication. Sparhawk kept in touch with our Business Services team to keep them in the loop regarding their hiring needs. Then, those hiring needs were shared with Employment Specialists in our Vancouver center.
Each of these Employment Specialists has their own case load of job seekers. When they hear about an open position that could fit their customer’s experience and skillset, they can forward their resume to the Business Services team.
But there are more ways for employers to engage with WorkSource, and what makes Vancouver Clinic such a great partner is how they’re willing to go the extra mile.
Suzanne Sparhawk has spoken directly to aspiring CNAs at our CNA Information Sessions, where she was able to talk to them about Vancouver Clinic as a potential employer for when they finish their training. In addition, they’ve also participated in our hiring events, taking the opportunity to meet and talk to job seekers face-to-face.
It takes a lot of work to find candidates, especially for Vancouver Clinic—a company that is constantly growing. Keeping up with this growth demands a pipeline of new talent, but also the ability to retain the talent they already have. One way that WorkSource can help with this is through support services.
Finding a job is hard, but if you face barriers like homelessness or poverty, it can be just as hard to keep one. This is why WorkSource offers support services to eligible customers. This can be gas assistance, scrubs, tools, or anything else a customer might need to start and keep their job.
Quality Job strategies contribute to business growth and success by helping companies recruit, train and retain employees by investing in their employees and helping workers thrive—making Vancouver Clinic a shining example of best practices in our region. You can learn more about the Quality Jobs Initiative here.
“Being partnered with an organization that actively supports individuals in achieving their career goals and improving their lives is incredibly rewarding,” says Sparhawk. “I believe that strong communities are built through empowerment and opportunity, and WorkSource plays a vital role in making that happen.”
Our Business Services team supports the growth of hundreds of local businesses just like Vancouver Clinic. If you’re interested in learning more about working with us, email our Business Services Manager, Mike Vezzola at mike.vezzola@esd.wa.gov.
WorkSource is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Service 711.
This program receives support and funding from a U.S. Department of Labor grant(s) provided through Workforce Southwest Washington. Read more about WSW federal funding at WSW Funding Disclosures: https://workforcesw.org/federal-funding-disclosure
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