Finds that the education and skills of Washington's workforce is a major determinant of the state's economic growth, and that finding regional solutions to the state's workforce needs are of paramount concern.

Recognizes that different areas of the state will need the flexibility to fashion local solutions to their economic and workforce strengths and challenges, and that regional workforce systems may evolve over time.

Finds that while the workforce system in Washington is operated by numerous entities, each with a critical role, it should function as one interconnected and coordinated system. Workforce development planning, at the regional level, should be coordinated with regional strategic plans. Further, regional and state plans should be coordinated to achieve both statewide and local workforce development goals. To facilitate this coordination and cooperation among state and local regions, the legislature declares it to be in the state's interest to establish a coordinated planning program for regional workforce development systems throughout the state.