Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to county public works projects; creating a county priority hire program; authorizing the finance and business operations division of the department of executive services to implement and administer the priority hire program; incorporating reporting for the priority hire program into the Contracting Opportunities Program Report and the Apprenticeship Annual Report; amending Ordinance 17652, Section 16, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.97.090; amending Ordinance 12787, Section 6, as amended, and K.C.C. 12.16.175 and adding a new chapter to K.C.C. Title 12.
Body
PREAMBLE:
1. A priority hire program is designed to prioritize the recruitment and placement of economically disadvantaged local workers on designated King County public works projects. The program is intended to help address construction workforce shortages, diversify the construction workforce and improve the well-being of individuals who live in geographic areas of economic distress.
2. The priority hire program focuses on workforce participation by apprentices and journey level construction workers and is therefore directly connected to the county's existing apprenticeship program. King County is committed to achieving its apprenticeship hiring goals set in county policy and remedying the disproportionately low involvement by minority groups and women in the construction workforce.
3. This ordinance builds on the vision from Ordinance 17973, adopted in February 2015, that created an economic opportunity and empowerment program and advisory board for the Children and Family Justice Center. The advisory board developed a general plan and recommendations that provide a framework for implementing a priority hire program, as well as providing support for apprentices and small business participation.
4. A priority hire program is aligned with actions in King County's 2016 equity and social justice strategic plan, co-created with employees and community partners. Priority hiring e...
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