Student and Community Workforce Agreement
Student and Community Workforce Agreement (SCWA) Priority Hire Program
The SPS Priority Hire program, Student and Community Workforce Agreement (SCWA), launched in 2021. SCWA is one of the first priority-hire agreements in the country to include students and their families as well as the diverse workers and communities covered by others. The City of Seattle, Sound Transit, and King County have Community Workforce Agreements (CWA) priority hire agreements that target diverse workers in the local community.
Latest News
Coming Soon: SCWA Community Hubs
Seattle Public Schools will soon launch of SCWA Community Hubs, developed in partnership with local community-based organizations. These hubs will serve as centralized spaces to connect students, families, workforce members, and community residents with training, resources, and employment opportunities in construction and skilled trades.
What to Expect at SCWA Community Hubs:
- Guidance on pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs
- Information on upcoming SPS construction projects
- Resources for students, families, and workforce members to explore career pathways
- Support for small businesses and local wage earners involved in SPS projects
Why SCWA Community Hubs Matter:
Through partnerships with trusted community organizations, these hubs reinforce our commitment to equity and opportunity, helping students, families, and the local workforce access meaningful training and employment in the construction industry.
For more information, contact Virginia Bethea, vowens@seattleschools.org
SCWA and You
Construction is a high-wage industry that is in high demand in Seattle.
SCWA is an agreement between SPS and the trade unions that creates a direct pathway into construction careers for:
- SPS Students and Alumni: Priority access to pre-apprenticeship programs and apprenticeships
- SPS Families: Wage earners in households with currently enrolled SPS students are prioritized for hiring.
- Community Members: Residents of economically distressed neighborhoods within SPS boundaries.
- Underrepresented Groups: Including women and people of color.
Participants receive union benefits, including health care, retirement plans, and job referrals.
Current and Upcoming SPS Construction Projects
- Rainier Beach High School: A project currently providing opportunities for students, families, and workforce members.
- General Contractor: Lydig Construction
- Aki Kurose: A project that will provide opportunities for students, families, and workforce members.
- General Contractor: Lydig Construction
- Memorial Stadium Renovation: A significant project offering numerous opportunities for apprenticeships and employment.
- General Contractor: Sellen
- John Marshall School: A modernization project that will provide opportunities for students, families, and workforce members.
- General contractor not yet selected.
SPS conducts seasonal bidding, so our most intensive bid season begins in January and runs through April. General contractors will also advertise for bids.
Solicitations for construction contracts are posted to Builders Exchange. You can learn more by visiting the SPS Current Solicitations page.
How to Benefit from SCWA
If you fit into one of the priority-hire categories, you can benefit from SCWA.
Currently a Construction Worker?
If you are already a construction worker, you can join an SCWA project. You don’t have to be a union member to work on these projects, but you will receive union benefits during your employment.
Interested? Contact the Union Hall. Union dispatchers will prioritize SCWA-eligible workers, including former SPS students and SPS family members.
Contractor?
SCWA is a negotiated contract between the local building construction trade unions and Seattle Public Schools. Read expectations and requirements for contractors.
WMBE Business?
Women-owned or Minority-Owned contractors can learn more about the opportunities made possible through SCWA by contacting Virginia Bethea, vowens@seattleschools.org
Not Yet Qualified? Get Started.
- Attend a Pre-Apprenticeship Program: These programs are typically 3 to 4 months long and teach basic construction skills and work culture.
- Use the Apprentice Guidebook: The City of Seattle provides a guidebook to help you explore apprenticeship programs and career resources. (link)
- Contact SPS: SPS offers a pre-apprenticeship program for students to earn certifications while still in high school.
SPS Students
SPS has programs to help students prepare for construction careers.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Classes: Exposure to various jobs in the building trades, helping students determine their fit within each industry. Learn about Skills Center
- Skilled Trades Pre-Apprenticeship: A one-year, half-day advanced CTE course that prepares students for careers in construction, earning industry-recognized certifications. Learn more about the Pre-apprenticeship Program
- Apprenticeship Preparation: Guidance in evaluating trade and apprenticeship programs that align with your interests and qualifications.