Improve your English & Job Skills

Download an English-language handout about the Ready to Work Program. (Right-click, then select, "Save link as..." and save to your computer.)

የአማርኛ በራሪ ወረቀት (Amharic-language handout)

繁體中文講義 (Traditional Chinese-language handout)

Odeeffannoo Oromoo (Oromo-language handout)

Boostar ku qoran afka Soomaaliga (Somali-language handout)

Folleto Español (Spanish-language handout)

መንሹር (Tigrinya-language handout)

Tờ rơi bằng tiếng Việt (Vietnamese-language handout)

Ready to Work (RTW) is a no-cost, classroom-based program for adult immigrants with low English-language proficiency to improve their English skills. Participants must be at least 18 years old and live within the boundaries of the city of Seattle. Classes take place both online and in-person. A computer will be provided for all students and basic digital literacy skills will be taught. You will also receive culturally competent case management and other employment training with the goal of attaining a better, more well-paying job.

This nationally recognized program consists of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes (Levels 1-4) that start every quarter. Participants should expect to be in classes for 12 hours per week, Monday to Thursday.

RTW has helped low-income adult language learners of a variety of ages gain job readiness skills and take steps toward economic self-sufficiency. Participants in the program have moved on to full-time jobs and/or advanced English-language level classes at community colleges. And perhaps most importantly, RTW participants have completed the program to become motivated learners.

The program is administered by the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs through our partner agencies. See below for more details on how to sign up for the program nearest you.

Learn more about the history of Ready to Work here.

Ready to Work - Southeast Seattle

Classes take place Monday to Thursday mornings from 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., with 2 days online and 2 days in person, and additional independent work required.

If you or someone you know is interested in attending, complete this form or contact: Getu at (206) 805-8950, getuh@acrs.org. A case manager will contact you to further screen, and if appropriate, sign you up for a class.

Ready to Work - North Seattle

Classes continue to take place online via Zoom, from Monday to Thursday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with additional independent work required.

If you or someone you know is interested in attending, complete this form or contact: Sofie at (206) 782-2050, info@literacysource.org. A case manager will contact you to further screen, and if appropriate, sign you up for a class.

Ready to Work - Southwest Seattle

Classes continue to take place online via Zoom, from Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon, with additional independent work required.

If you or someone you know is interested in attending, complete this form or contact:(206) 226-9107, rtw@nhwa.org. A case manager will contact you to further screen, and if appropriate, sign you up for a class.

History of RTW

OIRA's goal is to empower and support immigrants, refugees, and others to overcome barriers to reach milestones on their difficult journey to economic stability, quality jobs, and integration into the civic life of Seattle. In 2015, RTW was created as an innovative prototype model for English language acquisition and employment. Since 2015, 270 immigrant and refugee jobseekers have participated in the program, with many of the participants obtaining jobs and continuing on to higher English-language level classes.

Ready to Work Nationally Recognized

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Skills Coalition highlighted Ready to Work as a national best practice model on how to leverage workforce funding to support immigrant integration in the labor force.

RTW Partner Organizations

Asian Counseling and Referral Service | HomeSight | Literacy Source | Neighborhood House | Somali Community Services of Seattle

Banner photo credit: Alabastro Photography.