Published October 2004

WDC to reveal
work-force needs

The Snohomish County Workforce Development Council may not be as well known as the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, but that may change soon.

Work-force development is becoming a hot topic.

As the profile of the economy changes with the arrival of new high-tech manufacturing programs, such as the use of composites in the 7E7, and new biotech industries pursue research frontiers in the county, it’s simply smart to have some idea of how extensive the job needs will be and what education, training or preparation will be necessary to make this area a successful haven for such enterprises.

William Bell, spokesperson for the WDC and director of its marketing efforts, is excited about the council’s new ventures into work-force development efforts and the results of a new $200,000 study by a nationally respected research firm.

Bell said the WDC — part of Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon’s Blueprint 2010 “look-ahead” group — will not only be meeting with educators about the study’s implications but also with the business community.

On Oct. 28 at the Lynnwood Embassy Suites, the WDC will be rolling out the research data of this study at a 7:30 a.m.-to-noon Business Symposium, with an opening discussion of the study by Reardon and members of his community research panel.

Steve Gunderson, author and former four-term U.S. Congressman who is now a Workforce Investment Act consultant, will present the study’s findings, what Bell describes as “frightening projections,” of shortfalls in skills and education resources by 2010 and beyond. More information on the program is available at the WDC Web site, www.snocowdc.org.

This one sounds like a topic the government, business and education communities should pay attention to so that shortages can be prevented — with proper planning — to enable Snohomish County to prosper from transformations in the economy, rather than languish while those jobs go to areas more prepared for the coming changes.

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