The Washington Technology Industry Association, a nonprofit trade group, is laying off 14% of its staff.
The WTIA confirmed the cuts last week. A spokesperson said 11 roles were impacted, and 65 full-time employees remain after the layoffs.
"Inflation and rising interest rates have made investment by the tech sector substantially more expensive and reduced stock values. Many companies in the sector have begun reducing staff and other expenses," WTIA CEO Michael Schutzler said in a statement. "As a result, the WTIA has experienced a reduction in funding for some of the organization’s programs and services."
Schutzler added that most of the layoffs will affect WTIA's Apprenti business unit, a WTIA program to connect employers with tech talent through apprenticeships, with a focus on underrepresented groups. Apprenti's clients include Microsoft and JPMorgan Chase. Apprenti was founded in 2016, and the program says 81% of apprentices end up retained by the company.
WTIA, meanwhile, was founded in 1984, according to its LinkedIn page, and has more than 1,000 member organizations. In addition to Apprenti, WTIA offers 401(k) plans, business insurance, affinity groups and events, among other services. It also does advocacy work for the tech industry and runs a business accelerator. WTIA last year acquired the Seattle-based tech industry nonprofit Sea.citi for an undisclosed amount.
"We are extremely grateful for all of the efforts and talents of our impacted team members and will be supporting them through this transition," Schutzler said in the statement.
WTIA adds to a growing list of local organizations that have laid off employees in the new year. Bellevue-based employee well-being company Limeade on Thursday announced plans to reduce its headcount by 15%. Customer and employee experience company Qualtrics, which has dual headquarters in Seattle and Provo, Utah, on Wednesday disclosed plans to lay off about 270 workers, roughly 5% of the company's total headcount.
