In 2021, Seattle Public Schools launched a Priority Hire program with a Student and Community Workforce Agreement (SCWA). While similar to the City of Seattle, Sound Transit, and King County, this program introduces historic and ground-breaking new initiatives. The SCWA is among the first in the country to create a direct pipeline for students and their families as well as diverse workers and communities.

Seattle Public Schools has more than $1 billion in current capital levy money with more expected to come in future capital levies. Much of this money is committed to construction projects. That keeps our school buildings current, but it also represents opportunities that we hope can return to students, families, residents and communities. But this $1 billion remains a fraction of the total opportunity for construction jobs in our region.

Background

In past years, few Seattle residents or former district students have had the jobs on our larger school construction projects. Following traditional training and employment systems does not bring our students, our family wage-earners, and others who have racial or or social justice barriers, to the front of the line.

• Our studies show not only few of these workers on site today, but we hope that systematic interventions can radically change this profile and bring such workers to our jobs.
• According to a small sample of projects, less than 4% of apprentices on our district projects are people of color and only 1% are women. We hope to gather more data, implement our program, and then create a meaningful increase.
• Our studies show the SCWA can ensure our construction projects continue to meet delivery schedules, strengthen safety, worker representation and ensure skilled workers direct for

Read the adopted Master SCWA Template

Read the SCWA Task Force Final Report

Read the July 2020 School Board Action Report that includes the SCWA research and background

African-American Males and Students of Color

This program has specifically sought to ensure a welcome path for Black males, whether current or former students, or wage earners for a student family. SPS is committed to unapologetically support and serve students and families furthest from educational justice. The career success for all students of color show that college career paths are difficult to navigate and have lower college graduation outcomes. This construction career gives a high-wage and no-debt career path, health care and retirement pensions for our union workers (for the duration of their work on a specific covered job).

Pushing Against Gentrification

Careers and employment are meaningful to a community that seeks race and social justice. It reflects how significant it is to work on a construction project for a neighborhood school their own child may attend, and having a high-wage career that gives financial stability to remain in their own neighborhood and home and thus enjoy the school you built.