A new report from SJI confirms that middle-wage jobs -- those jobs that pay a livable wage and require some training beyond high school but not a 4-year degree -- are and will continue to support key industries in the Puget Sound region.  This work supplements an earlier working paper, detailing middle-wage occupations expected to grow in each industry as well as available and accessible training opportunities in the region. 

• Skills Required: Preparing Puget Sound for Tomorrow's Middle Wage Jobs
  Paul Sommers, Ph.D, Mark Gardner, and Juliet Scarpa. 03/2008
  • Brief Overview (PDF, 70K)
  • Executive Summary (PDF, 45K)
  • Full Report (PDF, 312K)
• SJI Middle Wage Jobs Community Forum, March 18th, 2008, PSRC
  • Slide Presentation of Findings (PDF, 71K)
    
• Accessible Middle Wage Jobs in Seattle and the Puget Sound Region
  Seattle Jobs Initiative Working Paper by Paul Sommers, Ph.D., Seattle University.  01/2007  (PDF, 319K)

Working Poor Families Update (March 2007)

Recent job growth is helping some working poor families, but an uneven recovery keeps many families stressed.

• The Status of Working Poor Families in Washington: An Update (PDF, 328K)

Beyond the Bottom Line (October 2004)

• Beyond the Bottom Line: Expanding Economic Opportunities for Washington's Working Families (PDF, 996K)

National Report (October 2004)

• Working Hard, Falling Short: America's Working Families and the Pursuit of Economic Security (PDF, 534K)

Bridging the Gaps (January 2008)

• Bridging the Gaps in Washington: A Research Brief of Findings and Policy Recommendations for Work Supports that Work (PDF, 100 K)
• Bridging the Gaps National Report (HTML)

SJI Job Trends Reports (ongoing)

• SJI Job Trends Report: Focus on Leisure & Hospitality, December 2007 (PDF, 473K)
• SJI Jobs Trends Report: Focus on Construction, September 2007 (PDF, 710K)
• Archived Labor Market Reports

Brief on 2008 Legislative Session
Seattle Jobs Initiative released a brief on the 2008 Washington State legislative session.  The brief analyzes legislation affecting employment and training for low-income residents.

• 2008 Legislative Brief

Brief on Issues Facing Today's Low-Income College Student

• Today's Community College Student: Facts about Vocational Education and Financial Aid (HTML)