Published January 2005

Skilled work force
crucial for growth

By Linda Waring
Guest Columnist

Work-force development has become a critical concern of business owners and corporations across all industry sectors in Snohomish County.

As the county experiences expanded job growth and expansion in construction, manufacturing, business services, health care and retail, the need for skilled workers grows.

The aerospace industry, which has had an enormous impact on the county economy, has recently shown positive signs of improvement, precipitating the need once again for trained workers. Companies within this sector are requiring more of their current work force to upgrade skills and are seeking new hires with knowledge of cutting-edge technologies.

Skilled workers are currently in short supply and, according to a recently published survey, are getting harder to find.

The Workforce Development Council provides oversight of the development of employment and training programs and services for both businesses and job seekers. These programs and services cross all industry sectors and are provided through the WorkSource (One Stop) system.

The WDC has invested both financial and staff resources to produce a comprehensive industry cluster study (www.worksourceonline.com/v3/misc/store.html) to inform and educate businesses and community leaders on the work-force gaps within local industry and what services are available to help mitigate or bridge these gaps.

The WDC has supported the continuation of collaborative, creative work-force strategies, such as the creation of industry skills panels and customized training, and has been actively engaged in the development of “Snohomish County 2010: A Blueprint for Education, Workforce and Economic Development.”

This document serves as a framework for cooperation between key public and private education entities from K-12 through university systems, government, and nonprofit work-force and economic development leaders, through which to discuss and strategically plan to sustain the economic growth and vitality in Snohomish County.

At the Workforce Development Council’s October 2004 Business Forecasting Symposium, Steve Gunderson, a former congressman and co-author of the Workforce Investment Act legislation, spoke about the areas in which Snohomish County surpasses the state and the nation in job growth rates. The county is ahead in the following areas: management occupations, life sciences, office and administrative support, production occupations and manufacturing.

He also pointed out that the county is not unlike other areas of the country in that we are not producing enough trained workers to meet the upcoming demands of these industries.

Demand for workers with skills in advanced math and science; computer technologies and software; health-care skills such as nursing, imaging and therapy; and construction trades will continue to drive business to those areas where skilled workers can be found.

WDC President Rin Causey and the community leaders on the WDC board of directors are committed to lead the charge to create and sustain successful coalitions and programs that address work-force development needs across all key industry sectors necessary to sustain growth and maintain the economic vitality throughout the county. We are fortunate in Snohomish County to have an innovative, collaborative and responsive work-force development system.

Linda Waring is director of business services for the Snohomish County Workforce Development Council. She can be reached at 425-921-3420.

Related: Report details county's "engines of economic activity"
Related: Signs of job growth hint at stronger economy
Related: Boeing says 7E7 "most successful launch to date"

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