The Training Fund’s 15-Year Anniversary Celebration
On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, members, education partners, healthcare employers and staff came together to celebrate the fifteen year anniversary of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training and Education Fund (Training Fund). We celebrated our innovative labor/management partnerships that drive workforce solutions, our members and their successes, our work over the last 15 years and our hopes for the next 15 years. Attendees included member speakers, representatives from major healthcare employers across Washington, and local dignitaries such as SEIU Healthcare 1199NW President Jane Hopkins, and King County Executive Dow Constantine.
“Achievements are one of the things we’re here to celebrate. We are also celebrating partnership and perspectives. This is the cornerstone of what the Training Fund does.”
“I am really inspired by the member speakers … Thank you and congratulations. I’m always impressed by the Training Fund’s exceptional work and the impact 15 years of service has had on the healthcare community.”
Program participants and members shared their victories and stories. Labor and management partners spoke about the successes that have come from partnership with the Training Fund. Local politicians and leaders spoke about how the Training Fund is valuable for our communities.
“I would like to give my thanks from the bottom of my heart to the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund for helping me to pursue my dreams and making it possible to accomplish my aspirations”
The event concluded with the presentation of the inaugural Diane Sosne Award by Diane Sosne on behalf of the Training Fund to King County Executive, Dow Constantine. The SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund proudly recognizes Dow Constantine, King County Executive, as an exemplary partner for his significant contribution to the healthcare workforce and community; his passion and dedication to equity, access, and workers’ advocacy; and for being a champion of Labor-Management collaboration.
Thank you Dow Constantine, King County Executive, April Sims from Washington State Labor Council, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Providence Swedish, UW Medicine, MultiCare Health System, Providence health system, PeaceHealth St. Joseph, Neighborcare Health, and everyone else who made the evening a grand success!
“It was a FANTASTIC event. The people, presentations, personal stories, and celebration was incredible, along with the delicious food. WOW! Y’all know how to throw a celebration! I was honored to be a part of the event. SJI is excited and honored to be a collaborative partner with SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Training Fund. The combined efforts of local and regional partners have increased the positive impacts to our communities and healthcare industry.“
“It’s really exciting to be able to see so many wonderful faces and people in the room tonight to be able to celebrate the great accomplishments of the Training Fund and how it has impacted and changed lives, not only in the workplace but think about the lives that have changed in our communities.”
Learn more about our work and accomplishments over the last 15 years in our press release 15 Years of Advancing Healthcare Careers, Creating Career Pathways and Improving Patient Care across Washington.
The Training Fund’s accomplishments include:
- Supporting more than 1,500 healthcare workers annually with Career Counseling services since 2018
- More than $23.8 million awarded in federal, state, and private grants
- Six Washington State-registered Healthcare Apprenticeships (spanning medical/pharmacy & behavioral health pathways)
- 106 pre-apprenticeship program participants since 2021
- Career Connect Washington‘s Healthcare Sector Leader
- 167 certified Nursing Assistants have completed our NA-C training program since 2021
- 408 members have used Tuition Assistance to advance their careers and education in 2023 alone — 63% of them identify as BIPOC
