Washington State Labor Market Outlook (November 17, 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Washington State and Regional Labor Market Outlook: Opportunities and Challenges for Clients and Students

1 NCDA CE Pending Approval

Free of charge, non-members please join WCDA!

We are excited to announce our speaker,

Paul Turek, Ph.D.

State Economist

Labor Market Information and Research (formerly DATA)

Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD)

We'll answer the question,

What state and Seattle area labor market opportunities and challenges lie ahead in the next year for our clients and students?

This event is sponsored by the Washington Career Development Association (WCDA).

SPEAKER BIO

Paul Turek is an economist with over 50 years of study and experience within the field. He has been with the Washington State Employment Security Department since 1999. He began his appointment by serving as the state labor market information coordinator before becoming the regional economist for the workforce region that included Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Grays Harbor counties. He then relocated to the Pierce County WorkSource center where he covered the regional economy for the Tacoma-Pierce County area. He has covered the overall state economy over the past twelve years and now is focusing more on the King-Pierce area economies with principal emphasis being given to the status of the labor market.

Prior to his joining the Employment Security Department, Paul worked in the academic sector and held two different University appointments: one within a School of Business and the other in a College of Agriculture. Over the years he has taught a variety of economics and business courses in locations ranging from China to throughout the Puget Sound area.

Paul’s educational background is in agribusiness and economics. His undergraduate degree is from Rutgers University, and he holds a master’s degree from Purdue University and a Ph.D. from Oregon State University

2027 Professional Development Institute (PDI) (May 21, 2027)

Fri, 21 May 2027 15:00:00 GMT

12th ANNUAL WCDA

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

Friday, May 21, 2027

8:30 am - 3:30 pm

IN PERSON, CWU Campus, Ellensburg, WA

Keynote Speaker: TBA

WCDA's Professional Development Institute (PDI) - General Overview

Join the Washington Career Development Association at this in-person event featuring industry-leading professional speakers, interactive discussion, and professional networking. This PDI combines new and updated career development topics with the latest trends in Washington State and your region.

Registration includes a meal card with $25 on it to use at Holmes Dining and the SURC coffee stands.

Welcome to Central Washington University, Ellensburg!

Event Location: Student Union and Recreation Building (SURC), 2nd Floor in the Ballroom

400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Lodging

There will be no room blocks this year at any specific hotel. Please book wherever you see fit.

Hotel Availability in Ellensburg

The following hotels offer a government rate.

Holiday Inn Express Ellensburg by IHG (gov rate)

1620 Canyon Road, Ellensburg, WA 98926 United States (US)

+1-509-253-1844

Hotel Windrow Downtown Ellensburg (gov rate)

502 North Main Street, Ellensburg, WA, US

+1 509-962-8000

SureStay By Best Western Ellensburg (gov rate)

1500 Canyon Rd., Ellensburg, WA 98926

+1 509-962-6888

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Ellensburg (gov rate)

1709 South Opportunity Street, Ellensburg, WA

+1 509-933-5000

Washington Career Development Association upcoming events

Washington State Labor Market Outlook (November 17, 2026)

Washington State and Regional Labor Market Outlook: Opportunities and Challenges for Clients and Students

2027 Professional Development Institute (PDI) (May 21, 2027)