industry skill 2005 panels...• south puget sound community college doubled the capacity of its...

IndustrySKILLPANELS

WASHINGTON STATE

Workforce Trainingand Education

Coordinating Board

Industry skill panels are public-private partnerships ofbusiness, labor, and education working together to improvethe skills of workers in industries vital to Washington.Industries see the skill panels approach as a successfulmodel, providing leadership, innovation, and solutions togrow and keep a competitive workforce.

During the last two decades, Washington has seen dramaticgrowth in knowledge-based industries. Nearly all industriesmust invest in new technologies to stay competitive. In stateand national surveys, employers say they continue to faceshortages of skilled workers. Even more troubling, employerssay that limited access to a skilled workforce is by far thelargest barrier to expansion. Business, labor, and educationhave crucial roles in ensuring that workers have the skillsnecessary to keep Washington State competitive. Their activeparticipation in industry skill panels ensures that Washington’sworkers get the knowledge they need and Washington’sbusinesses get the employees they need.

How Industry Skill Panels WorkIndustry skill panels continuously examine the workforceneeds of the industries they serve and create plans to meetthose needs. Panels push for change. They recommendnew training programs where none existed before. Theydemand more training capacity when there are not enoughgraduates to go around. They press for modernized trainingfor the industry’s current workforce. They demand thatpublic training budgets are strategically used. They supporteconomic development initiatives aimed at building industrycompetitiveness.

Industry skill panels are increasingly influencingWashington’s workforce development system. Effectiveindustry skill panels allow private enterprise to contributeintellectual and financial resources to ensure both workersand employers stay competitive. Their work has mobilizedthe workforce development system to action. Communitycolleges are responding to employer needs with moreflexible, higher quality training. They are expanding andcreating more modular courseware options, providingadditional weekend and evening classes, offering greaternumbers of distance learning opportunities, and improvingtheir systems in countless other ways. As a result, today’sworkforce development system participants are leaving theirtraining programs better prepared for tomorrow’s jobs.

2005

2 Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

Industry skill panels are not only improving Washington’sworkforce development system; they are bringing inadditional funding. Increased financial resources are comingto local communities from a variety of sources, including thefederal government, private businesses, and foundations.

Our limited investment in industry skill panels has produceda sizable return. As of June 2004, 19 industry skill panelsenabled communities to benefit from over $40 million inadditional funding from state and federal resources.1

Industry Skill PanelsJune 2004

WIA Title I-B$2,170,259

5%

H 1-B$6,000,000

14%

TIP$624,792

1%

IFST$529,874

1%

WD—Rural$3,755,310

9%

High Demand$4,377,400

10%

Centers of Excellence$680,000

2%HRSA$683,100

2%DOL—Special$843,660

2%

503 Incentive$3,000,000

7%

WIA Formula$4,810,000

11%

Private$8,295,000

21%

Other$6,252,445

15% TOTAL$42,021,840

100%

1H1-B; 503 Incentive Award(Health Care); EmploymentSecurity’s Targeted IndustryPartnerships (TIP) andIndustries for Future SkillsTraining (IFST); State Board forCommunity and TechnicalCollege’s High-Demand Grantsand Centers of Excellence; theU.S. Department of Health andHuman Services-HealthResources and ServicesAdministration (HRSA); the U.S.Department of Labor-TechnicalAssistance Grants to connectWorkSource to industry skillpanels; federal WorkforceInvestment Act Incentive andFormula funds; privatecontributions; and others.

Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board 3

41 Industry Skill Panels Strong—and Still GrowingThe following pages briefly describe the 41 industry skillpanels working with 16 key industries in Washington State.The panels are listed according to their respective localWorkforce Development Area. (See Map page 7). As youread the descriptions, you will see that each panel is unique.Some industry skill panels include several regions, whileothers have a statewide reach. Some focus on one industrysector, while others focus on two or more. Most were fundedby the Workforce Training and Education CoordinatingBoard (Workforce Board), but others had initial fundingfrom other sources.

As industry skill panels continue to gain recognition, theWorkforce Board and its partners will develop strategies toexpand the initiative to meet the growing demand for thistargeted approach to workforce development.

Here is a short list of skill panel results. These and otherskill panel accomplishments are supporting a workforcesystem as it takes on the challenges of Washington’s 21stcentury economy.

Food Processing• Community and technical colleges created 26 customized

courses offering certification and opportunities for careeradvancement. Nearly 800 incumbent workers receivedtraining in 32 companies. Several of these earned anadditional $300 to $600 in the four-month period aftertraining.

• Training costs averaged $450 to $500 per individual, persession—saving money for employers who previouslysent incumbent workers out of state for training at 4 to 6times the cost.

Health Care• Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities began a

Registered Nurse (RN) baccalaureate program in 2004,enrolling 20 students immediately.

• Skagit Valley Community College added 36 slots forstudents in its RN program.

• A Bilingual Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program atSkagit Valley and WorkSource will graduate 13 studentsin June 2005.


• WorkSource and Bellingham Technical College partneredto add an additional LPN class—18 students graduated inFebruary 2004. A new class will be added each quarter foran additional gain of 20 LPNs per year.

• A “bridge program” was created in northwest Washingtonby a community and technical college in collaborationwith the local WorkSource center to offer health carefoundation skills to English as a Second Language (ESL)students. The new program reached 45 ESL students.

• South Puget Sound Community College doubled thecapacity of its Medical Assisting program to 40 andexpanded its part-time evening nursing program as well.In addition, it developed an online prerequisite course forDental Assisting, expanding access to future students.

• Centralia College doubled capacity in its two-year nursingprogram to 48.

• Grays Harbor College expanded its nursing program from50 to 70, added new sections for pre-nursing classes, andupdated training aids and equipment for its science labs.

• The Shelton branch of Olympic College developed anew LPN program. The initial class of 10 will grow to20 by 2006.

• Clark College was funded to graduate an additional 24RNs each year.

• Lower Columbia College developed an online distancelearning “LPN to RN bridge program.”

• WSU received funding to add 10 new students each term,beginning fall 2004.

Game Software Development• One hundred Zombie, Cranky Pants Games, and

Greenhouse Media employees were trained usingcurricula identified and developed by the industryskill panel.

• Forty industry leaders provided training in LakeWashington Technical College’s 3D animation classesusing curriculum developed by the industry skill panel.


Information Technology• Eighteen students from two colleges and four high

schools won prizes in Networking, A+, and web design atthe Pierce County 2004 Technology Competition.

• Skill panel members representing businesses donated anddistributed equipment to Pierce County area high schoolsand community colleges.

• In partnership with Edmonds, Bellevue, and PierceCommunity Colleges, the Regional Advanced TechnologyEducation Consortium developed a Prior LearningAssessment Portfolio for Information Technology thatallows community and technical college students to begranted credit based on assessment of their knowledgeand previous work experience.

• Eleven Information Technology (IT) agreements wereestablished, enabling students to transfer IT credits fromhigh school to college.

• A “Technology Tour for Educators” was conducted by aPierce County skill panel to familiarize educators andworkforce development professionals with local high-tech companies.

Other Industry Examples• An energy skill panel developed Energy Systems

Technology Skill Standards, curricula, and assessmenttools for a course now offered by Centralia College andWalla Walla Community College.

• A manufacturing industry skill panel developed modularmanufacturing curriculum based on skill standards.

• The industrial and marine safety skill panel created andrevised safety training curricula for Peninsula College.Businesses now contract with the college to deliver thecurriculum and implement safety training programs.

• Biotechnology curriculum is now available for two shortcourses—Introduction to IT in Health Care and LabBooks and Legal Issues.


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FRANKLIN

BENTON

KLICKITAT

YAKIMA

KITTITAS

GRANT

DOUGLAS

CHELAN

WHATCOM

SKAGIT

SNOHOMISH

KING

PIERCETHURSTON

SANJUAN

ISLAND

KITSAP

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Workforce Development Regions

Benton-Franklin: Benton and Franklin Counties

Eastern Washington: Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, andWhitman Counties

King County

North Central: Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties

Northwest: Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties

Olympic: Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties

Pacific Mountain: Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties

Pierce County

Snohomish County

Southwest Washington: Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Wahkiakum Counties

Spokane County

Tri-County: Kittitas, Klickitat, and Yakima Counties

Washington State’s Skill Panels


CONTACTJosie DarstEastern WashingtonPartnership WorkforceDevelopment Council509-685-6128jdarst@ruralresources.orgwww.ewpartnership.org/

Health Care. Like the rest of the state, Benton and FranklinCounties are experiencing critical health care worker shortages.The Benton-Franklin Community Health Alliance Skill Panelwas formed to analyze labor market information specific tothe bi-county area, identify skill gaps and labor shortages,and recommend strategies to solve the problem. Workingfrom an ambitious action plan, the alliance promoted nursingand imaging technology training programs, expanded theregion’s training capacity for nurses, improved trainingfacilities, and secured additional clinical training sites. In2004, 230 high school students participated in a Math,Engineering, and Science Achievement program to increasemath and science skills for minorities and females in middleand high school. The alliance worked closely with ColumbiaBasin College to develop a federally-funded summer campoffering interactive learning experiences, job shadows, andcareer decision-making. Federal funds also enabled the collegeto purchase software that tracks students in K-12 and collegeprograms, promotes enrollment in diverse health scienceofferings, and improves communication throughout the healthcare community. The alliance is currently concentratingefforts on recruiting youth and adults into the industry.

Health Care. With the current national shortages of healthcare workers, rural areas simply cannot compete with thelarger salaries offered by urban areas. Many rural hospitalsare having trouble keeping their doors open. Shortages existin traditional occupations, such as registered nurses, andin specialty occupations, such as radiology technologists.Given these shortages, local hospitals and clinics are notable to offer a full range of services. This has a negativeimpact on the area’s physical and economic health. Twoskill panels, one in the north and one in the south, areaddressing the health care workforce shortages in this hugearea in rural eastern Washington. The panels consist of stafffrom hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, communitycolleges, economic development, labor, the workforcedevelopment council, and secondary schools. Both panelsare currently analyzing labor market information, prioritizingoccupations with the greatest shortages, and developingrecommendations. One recommendation recently embracedby the Community Colleges of Spokane is that training isnow offered in rural centers. For example, Spokane FallsCommunity College is offering anatomy and physiologyclasses and will soon be adding Licensed Practical Nursetraining in the Colville Center. The two panels are currentlyexploring distance learning opportunities and supportinggrant applications to expand technology to increase trainingoptions for rural residents.

Benton-Franklin WorkforceDevelopment Region

CONTACTDonna NoskiBenton-Franklin WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]

Eastern WashingtonWorkforce DevelopmentRegion

FRANKLIN

BENTON

WHITMAN

GARFIELD

ASOTINWALLAWALLA

COLUMBIA

PENDOREILLE

STEVENSFERRY

LINCOLN


Energy. Washington’s ability to compete in the globaleconomy of the 21st century depends on carrying out anenergy strategy that will ensure relatively low-cost andreliable electricity. Walla Walla is home to several energy-related organizations, including the Army Corps ofEngineers, the Bonneville Power Administration, and theFlorida Power and Light Company, which produces windturbine energy. The Walla Walla Energy Skill Panel, inpartnership with Walla Walla Community College (WWCC),is increasing the availability of skilled technicians for theenergy industry in southeastern Washington by conductingcontinuous market analyses of current and future technicalworkforce needs, identifying critical skill gaps, and offeringappropriate and timely training. The panel developed EnergySystems Technology Skill Standards, assessment tools, andcurricula. It also commissioned electrician and mechanicaltechnical instructional programs for industry by integratingwith an existing refrigeration and air-conditioning program atWWCC. New instructional strands in power generation anddistribution, generators, alternators and transformers,hydraulics, pneumatics, and industrial safety have becomepart of a one-year certificate and a two-year associate degreeprogram at the college. In December 2004, the State Boardfor Community and Technical Colleges granted approval tothe new Energy Systems Technology program at WWCC.Currently, the panel is piloting and refining its energycurriculum and developing an apprenticeship articulationagreement with area apprenticeship providers.

Food Processing and Agriculture. This was one of firstindustry skill panels funded by the 2000 Legislature. Thatyear, both the Grant and Adams County EconomicDevelopment Councils had just completed a study of thefood processing industry. The study found that basic skills offood processing workers needed to be improved. Since foodprocessing is key to the economy of the Columbia Basinarea, the North Central Workforce Development Council(WDC) formed a stakeholder advisory committee torecommend strategies to solve the problem. Severalemployer focus groups reviewed the industry’s basic skillrequirements and recommended curricula. Training moduleswere designed to help incumbent and future workers meet theskill requirements of the Food Processing Workforce SkillStandards for several food processing occupations. A skillpanel then identified strategies and tactics to increase orimprove the availability of industry-specific ESL instructionalmaterials and to create an entry-level course entitled“Introduction to Food Processing” for new and prospective

CONTACTDon MillerWalla Walla Community [email protected]/home/

CONTACTLarry HendersonNorth Central WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]

North Central WorkforceDevelopment Region

OKANOGAN

CHELAN

ADAMS

GRANT

DOUGLAS


employees. The work of this panel was integrated with theEastern Washington Agriculture and Food ProcessingPartnership now centered at the Tri-County WDC.

Health Care. Several health care facilities in this five-countyregion are struggling with financial and workforce issues.This is a problem because health care facilities do not justcontribute to the well-being of this large rural community,they also contribute to its economy. The region hasrecruitment problems in virtually every heath care discipline.The North Central Health Care Skills Panel was formed toaddress these workforce shortages. In its second year, thepanel can claim several successes. It is helping to leverage $2million raised by Wenatchee Valley College and thecommunity for the Nurses for Tomorrow campaign. Lastspring, the Nurses for Tomorrow program enabled 36 nursingstudents to come off a waiting list. The panel supported asecond initiative—the E3 program. E3 (employers,employees, and education) is a school-at-work educationprogram designed to train and retain incumbent health careworkers. Eleven clinics and hospitals spread across fourteenthousand square miles in North Central Washington and theColumbia Basin are participating in E3, which is allowinghealth care classes to reach new labor pools. A quarter of amillion dollars, matched dollar for dollar by the health careindustry, was invested in E3, enabling the WDC to quadrupleits original goal of upskilling 50 workers. Finally, the panel iscollaborating with Big Bend Community College, WenatcheeValley College, and local high schools to improve health carecareer pathways for youth. Tech-prep partners are teaming upwith Washington Business Week to develop DestinationHeath Care. In March and April of 2005, 300-400 ninthgraders in 3 sites across the region will embark on a learningadventure with volunteer health care professionals from thepanel, using Business Week’s program.

Health Care. When information from the EmploymentSecurity Department’s Labor Market and Economic Analysisunit revealed a growing and increasingly urgent need fortrained health and allied services workers in the NorthwestWorkforce Development Area, the WDC formed theNorthwest Alliance Health Care Skill Panel. The panel wasconvened to “provide industry-driven guidance forstrategically addressing workforce needs in health careoccupations.” During its initial phase, this partnership ofindustry, labor, education, and employment trainingrepresentatives from 21 organizations in the 4-county areaidentified the region’s highest priority health care workforceskill gaps and implemented a plan to fill them. The panel is

CONTACTKen KelnhoferNorth Central WorkforceDevelopment Council509-663-3091 ext. [email protected]

CONTACTAlex KosmidesNorthwest WorkforceDevelopment Council360-676-3206akosmides@nwpic.bellingham.wa.uswww.nwboard.org Northwest Workforce

Development Region

WHATCOMSANJUAN

ISLAND

SKAGIT


currently marketing health occupations to middle and highschool students, expanding local training capacity forpreparing registered nurses, encouraging limited-Englishproficiency individuals to enter the health care field, buildingthe <www.heathcarework.inf> website (links job seekers tohealth care employers), surveying employers to identify newindustry skill gaps, and forming public-private partnershipsto leverage resources for workforce training.

Construction, Information Technology, andManufacturing. The Northwest Workforce DevelopmentArea is characterized as an economy of very smallbusinesses. Over 80 percent of the region’s businessesemploy between 1 and 19 employees. Although the area hasover 2,000 construction-related firms and 900 manufacturingfirms, the majority of these have less than 4 employees withannual sales of less than $500,000. The panel analyzedworkforce skill gaps in the construction, manufacturing, andinformation technology sectors. It determined that althoughmanufacturing, construction, and information technologylabor needs are currently being met, recruitment and trainingfor skilled employees in the next 5-10 years is a concern inboth construction and manufacturing. The project thendeveloped and implemented a set of recommendations tostrengthen the entry-level workforce in both industries.

Marine Manufacturing and Technology. A recent surveyindicates that boat manufacturers in the Northwest areaexpect to hire over 300 new workers between 2005 and 2007.Westport Shipyards is building a plant in Port Angeles thatwill employ another 200 workers. In the Pacific Mountainarea, boat building is the fastest growing industry in GraysHarbor County and its economic impact is felt throughout theregion. The Northwest WDC is coordinating with theOlympic WDC, the Pacific Mountain WDC, four economicdevelopment councils, four community and technicalcolleges, K-12 tech-prep program partners, laborrepresentatives, and industry leaders to establish the MarineService and Technology Skill Panel. The panel will develop astrategic plan to address skill shortages in boat building andrelated marine industries in 11 coastal counties. They willidentify skill standards, promote work-based learningopportunities, develop recommendations for customizedtraining, promote careers in marine manufacturing to youth,and coordinate the formation of public-private partnerships toleverage resources for workforce training in the marinetrades. The panel will play a key role in supporting andguiding the development of the Marine ManufacturingCenter of Excellence at Skagit Valley College.

CONTACTAlex KosmidesNorthwest WorkforceDevelopment Council360-676-3207akosmides@nwpic.bellingham.wa.uswww.nwboard.org

CONTACTDolores BluefordNorthwest WorkforceDevelopment Council360-336- [email protected]


Health Care. One of the original industry skill panels,Olympic was ahead of the curve in focusing on health carebecause of a continued and growing need for trained healthservices workers in Clallam, Kitsap, and Jefferson Counties.The Olympic Health Care Alliance first surveyed the locallabor market and developed a list of goals and objectives forK-12 education, basic skills training for certified nurseassistants, radiological technician training, didactic trainingfor registered nurses, legislative action, and publicawareness. A local scholarship program for radiologicaltechnician training was set up through Peninsula Collegewith funding from health care providers and the OlympicWDC. A feasibility study was conducted for a coordinatedprogram between Olympic College and Harrison Hospital.Registered nurses received training in gerontology,perioperative, and critical care. The <PracticeInParadise.org>website was developed to enhance visibility and recruitment.The alliance then conducted teacher and counselor educationworkshops in Central Kitsap, Port Townsend, Port Angeles,and Forks, and a Health Care Career Fair for students andparents. In addition, the alliance conducted training classesfor health care professionals in such subjects as managementtraining, stress-reduction, conflict resolution, and ServSafecertification. It also sponsored a six-day summer camp forninth and tenth graders. Future projects include nationalcertificate preparation for pharmacy technologists andWound Management Specialist Certification for nurses andphysical therapists. The alliance is currently revising itsstrategic plan to identify solutions to overcome workforcebarriers and to oversee its medical occupations scholarshipprogram, a basic medical terminology training project, and aNursing Assistant Certified Mentor Training feasibility study.

Industrial and Marine Safety. This skill panel was formedto determine the most pressing safety training needs in theindustrial and marine industries in the Olympic Peninsula.These industries include ship repair, fueling, transportation,fire protection, and others with safety training needs. Aftersurveying several businesses, the panel created a strategicplan with recommendations to the college on how to developand maintain an industrial and marine safety traininginstitute. The panel broadened its focus, ultimately surveyingnearly 80 businesses in several other industries includingcorrections, construction, national parks, and manufacturingin Clallam and Jefferson Counties. It became apparent thatmany businesses were deficient in providing safety training.By showing the urgency to correct safety measures,Peninsula College workforce education staff were able toassess needs and customize safety training across a broader

CONTACTBob LawrencePeninsula Community [email protected]/industry-clusters/index.html

CONTACTJim McKennaOlympic WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]

Olympic WorkforceDevelopment Region

JEFFERSON

CLALLAM

KITSAP


industry scope than first planned. The panel created or revisedsafety training curricula, offered on-site safety training, anddeveloped educational materials. This panel is now part ofClallum netWorks, an economic development cluster strategy.

Marine Manufacturing and Technology. A recent surveyindicates that boat manufacturers in the Northwest area expectto hire over 300 new workers between 2005 and 2007. WestportShipyards is building a plant in Port Angeles that will employanother 200 workers. In the Pacific Mountain area, boatbuilding is the fastest growing industry in Grays HarborCounty and its economic impact is felt throughout the region.The Northwest WDC is coordinating with the Olympic WDC,the Pacific Mountain WDC, four economic developmentcouncils, four community and technical colleges, K-12 tech-prep program partners, labor representatives, and industryleaders to establish the Marine Service and Technology SkillPanel. The panel will develop a strategic plan to address skillshortages in the boat building and related marine industries in11 coastal counties. They will identify skill standards, promotework-based learning opportunities, develop recommendationsfor customized training, promote careers in marinemanufacturing to youth, and coordinate the formation ofpublic-private partnerships to leverage resources for workforcetraining in the marine trades. The panel will play a key rolein supporting and guiding the development of the MarineManufacturing Center of Excellence at Skagit Valley College.

Health Care. A 2001 Skill Gap Survey conducted by thePacific Mountain WDC shows that medical workers in thisfive-county area are in high demand. Nurses are in thegreatest demand, especially those with specialty training incritical care, emergency room, and family care. The WDCformed a panel of key leaders from business, education,economic development, and organized labor to identify skillgaps, barriers, and solutions. The panel leveraged trainingresources and developed a strategic plan to resolve short-term and long-term labor shortages. In 2002, the PacificMountain WDC received additional funding to support healthcare providers and community colleges in the area bydeveloping regional training programs. The skill panel iscurrently overseeing incumbent worker training for high-demand health professions. Panel members, including majoremployers and colleges in the region, will assess resourcesneeded to maintain college training capacity and expandprograms to meet industry need.

CONTACTJamie KrausePacific Mountain WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]

CONTACTLeif BentsenOlympic WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]

Pacific Mountain WorkforceDevelopment Region

GRAYSHARBOR

PACIFIC

MASON

LEWIS

THURSTON


Manufacturing. Manufacturing is a vital and historiccomponent of Washington’s economy, accounting for 13percent of all state employment and representing over300,000 workers and 16 percent total wages in the state. TheAssociation of Washington Business’ nonprofit arm, theInstitute for Workforce Development and Sustainability,convened a panel of representatives of key industry sectors toanalyze the condition of manufacturing in Washington State.The panel oversaw a comprehensive review of manufacturingacross 11 subsectors, analyzed trends in small-, mid-sized,and large businesses, and reviewed rural and urban-basedmanufacturing. The resulting report, Manufacturing inWashington State: 1990-2002: Trends and Implications for theIndustry and State, contains several recommendations forboosting workforce skills and the overall competitiveness ofthe manufacturing industry. The report continues to be usedto influence policy in all 12 WDCs.

Marine Manufacturing. A recent survey indicates thatboat manufacturers in the Northwest area expect to hire over300 new workers between 2005 and 2007. Westport Shipyardsis building a plant in Port Angeles that will employ another200 workers. In the Pacific Mountain area, boat buildingis the fastest growing industry in Grays Harbor Countyand its economic impact is felt throughout the region. TheNorthwest WDC is coordinating with the Olympic WDC,the Pacific Mountain WDC, four economic developmentcouncils, four community and technical colleges, K-12tech-prep program partners, labor representatives, andindustry leaders to establish the Marine Service andTechnology Skill Panel. The panel will develop a strategicplan to address skill shortages in the boat building andrelated marine industries in 11 coastal counties. They willidentify skill standards, promote work-based learningopportunities, develop recommendations for customizedtraining, promote careers in marine manufacturing to youth,and coordinate the formation of public-private partnerships toleverage resources for workforce training in the marinetrades. The panel will play a key role in supporting andguiding the development of the Marine ManufacturingCenter of Excellence at Skagit Valley College.

Software Support and Boat Manufacturing. This projectformed two panels to address skill gaps in the softwaresupport and boat building industries—the fastest growingbusiness sectors in Grays Harbor County. The projectidentified skill shortages in the two industries, including thebarriers to meeting them, and recommended K-20 curriculumchanges. These recommendations resulted in additional

CONTACTJohn LoylePacific Mountain WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]

CONTACTMike HudsonAssociation of [email protected]

CONTACTLu JewellOlympic WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]


training programs and new courses for incumbent workers.Elements of this work moved to the Marine Manufacturingand Technology Skill Panel.

Construction. Studies conducted by the office of PortJobs,the Northwest Policy Center, and the King County LaborCouncil’s Worker Center project huge skill shortages in theconstruction industry. These studies catalyzed the creation ofa 22-member, industry-led panel. Focusing on trades with thegreatest shortages, the panel provided a venue forrepresentatives from education, labor, government, andbusiness to address labor force needs, identify barriers torecruiting trades applicants, develop a marketing andoutreach plan to increase the number of women, minorities,and low-wage workers who pursue careers in the buildingtrades and expanded preapprenticeship programs inSnohomish County. The recommendations from this panelare being shared with other construction initiativesthroughout the state.

Game Software Development. Washington’s game softwaredevelopment industry has grown at a steady pace over thelast two decades. Game development is a relatively new fieldwith very demanding and specific job skill requirements.Game development firms employ large numbers ofspecialized workers divided into three major categories—engineers, programmers, and production workers. Engineersand programmers create the hardware and software enginesthat drive the games, while artists and art productiontechnicians create the game content. Game technology iscontinuously fed by vastly more powerful game consoles. Asgames get bigger, more production workers are required tobuild them. To respond to this demand, Lake WashingtonTechnical College established a skill panel comprised ofgame developers, several software corporations, colleges andother educators, and the Seattle-King County WDC. Thepanel developed internship programs and skill standards forElectronic Game Content Production. It partnered withMesmer Animation Labs to develop and distribute a textbookwritten expressly for game artists, featuring six completecourseware modules (available at <www.wa-skills.com>).The panel is currently revising its strategic plan, planning aJune 2005 Game Software Development Conference,developing career ladders and other wage progressionstrategies, and identifying performance measurements linkedto industry-approved skill standards.

CONTACTMike PotterLake Washington TechnicalCollege425-739-8228mike.potter@lwtc.ctc.eduwww.lwtc.ctc.edu

CONTACTCas CogswellSeattle-King County WorkforceDevelopment Council206-448-0474 ext. [email protected]

KING

King County WorkforceDevelopment Region


Health Care. The skill gap issues facing the health careindustry in King County are so severe that experts arebeginning to frame them as a looming public health crisis.As the health care center for Alaska, Idaho, Montana, andWashington, the King County area offers a comprehensiveselection of health care facilities, services, and personnel.The Puget Sound region has 45 general acute hospitals with9,400 beds and over 38,000 employees. Over 15,000 medicalpersonnel staff these facilities. The Seattle-King CountyWDC launched an industry-led panel with three primarygoals: expand the capacity of the health care educationsystem, encourage health care career progression, andincrease outreach and awareness. The panel produceda report, In Critical Condition, outlining the challenges andrecommending solutions to the current regional health carestaffing shortage. In 2002, the WDC received additionalfunding to implement several of these solutions. Basedon panel input, the WDC developed and implemented acareer pathways program providing opportunity forincumbent workers to access career counseling and trainingreferral services. It developed partnerships with numerouseducation institutions to expand capacity in high-demandtraining areas. It also provided tuition scholarships toincumbent and new health care workers and developedopportunities for youth to explore and begin working towardhealth careers. Working with several hospitals, the panel iscurrently expanding its Career Pathways program andadvising Nursing Pathways for Youth, a new trainingprogram coordinated by the WDC, Renton School District,Renton Technical College, and the Washington HospitalAssociation’s Health Workforce Institute.

Information Technology. RATEC (formerly the RegionalAdvanced Technology Education Consortium) was foundedto meet the continuous need to evaluate the demands forskilled IT professionals and facilitate solutions to support atechnologically advanced and economically competitiveregion. In partnership with the Seattle Chapter of the Societyfor Information Management, RATEC established a skillpanel to investigate the fundamental shift in IT skill demandsand provide unbiased feedback to our state’s decisionmakers. To prepare for this work, RATEC conducted twomajor research efforts: “Reconceptualizing an IT Workforce:Challenges and Opportunities for Education” and “Industryand Global IT Sourcing: Trends and Implications forWashington State.” RATEC also developed tools for

CONTACTJoy [email protected]

CONTACTCas CogswellSeattle-King County WorkforceDevelopment Council206-448-0474 ext. [email protected]


educators and students, including the Prior LearningAssessment (PLA)—a model portfolio process enablingstudents to be granted college credit based on theirknowledge and previous work experience. The PLA is nowused at Edmonds Community College and at Pierce College.RATEC also developed tools to assess common or“overlapping” skills between IT skill clusters and non-ITcareer clusters and created a database of academic literature,surveys, government initiatives, and other research related tocompetency-based education and training.

Manufacturing. Shoreline Community College’s (SCC)Manufacturing Skill Panel was formed to engage industrywith education and to focus on the importance ofmanufacturing to the economic vitality of Washington State.Historically, community and technical college programs havefocused on the skills needed for the aerospace industry.Recognizing that manufacturing now encompasses a muchwider range of companies—“from aircraft to coffee beans,”SCC brought together a diverse group of leaders frommanufacturing companies, business associations,government, labor, and education. The panel became a forumfor manufacturing companies to identify workforce skill gapissues and advise on, or create, new education and skillstandard initiatives. The panel also advises the Center forManufacturing Excellence. It developed eight learningoutcomes that establish foundational skills and knowledgefor every manufacturing student/professional. It developedguidelines for assessing prior learning and experience inmanufacturing, established a Certificate of BasicManufacturing, an 18-credit, modularized program, andadvised SCC on 3 new quality control courses. The panel iscurrently developing promotion and marketing plans toattract new workers into the manufacturing professions.

Hospitality. Employing nearly 120,000 people in the greaterPuget Sound region, hospitality jobs provide opportunitiesfor immigrants, refugees, welfare recipients, and others tofind entry-level jobs. They also provide opportunities foradvancement and wage progression. The Department ofLabor funded the Consortium for Retention andAdvancement (CORA) in 2001 to examine the needs of theindustry and to develop and implement a plan to meet thoseneeds. CORA sought advice from employers, the HotelEmployees Restaurant Local 8, community-basedorganizations, and WDCs. It built industry collaboration;conducted strategic research on economic and labor markettrends; reviewed and analyzed existing research, literature,

CONTACTMark HankinsShoreline Community [email protected]

CONTACTRich FeldmanWorker [email protected]


and best practices; and designed geographically-basedstrategies addressing entry-level employee issues. It thenimplemented the strategies. Two products, an employeesurvey and a comprehensive training manual for banquetservers, were especially well received.

Aerospace. Since aerospace is a key sector withinmanufacturing and an integral part of the Snohomish Countyeconomy, the Snohomish County WDC recently allocatedfunding to create an Aerospace Skill Panel. The panel will bea forum for aerospace and related manufacturing companiesto discuss changes affecting the local labor market. The panelwill develop strategies to address hiring needs, upgradecurrent workforce skills, identify skills gaps, and otherwiselink education and industry. Panel members will includerepresentatives from major aerospace businesses inSnohomish County, local community colleges, the EconomicDevelopment Council of Snohomish County, government,and labor. The panel will develop a complete picture of theindustry in Snohomish County and create programs andservices to address both the short- and long-term workforcedevelopment needs of local employers. It will also developcareer ladders and mapping systems to encourage students toexplore and pursue career options in this important industry.

Construction. “The Snohomish County Construction LaborMarket Survey 2004” characterizes construction as “a matureindustry in the county with the employment expectations ofan emerging industry cluster.” One of its principal findingsshows that construction industry employers are “havingdifficulty finding qualified candidates.” In response, theSnohomish County WDC allocated funding to create aConstruction Skill Panel. Panel members represent countyconstruction contractors, trade associations, labor unions, andthe academic community. The principal goals of this newpanel are to identify current and future industry-specificemployment and skill training needs, as well as create orexpand the options for job growth and training in the countyto meet these needs.

Health Care. Demand for health care services is rapidlyrising in Snohomish County due to an aging population andan influx of retirees. In fact, by 2020, the county’s populationof people over 65 will increase by 93 percent. At the sametime, the county’s workforce is aging, there are not enoughpeople choosing health care occupations, high job vacancyrates are occurring in critical positions, and there is limitedtraining capacity. To address these problems, the Snohomish

CONTACTKristen Gillissee HoweSnohomish County WorkforceDevelopment Council425-921-3498kgillissee@snocowdc.orgwww.worksourceonline.com/b/hscp.html

CONTACTLinda WaringSnohomish County WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]

Snohomish CountyWorkforce DevelopmentRegion

SNOHOMISH

CONTACTVance TitusSnohomish County WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]


County WDC created the Health Services CareersPartnership. The partnership is increasing the trainingcapacity in high-demand health occupations, attracting newpeople into health occupations, sharing recruitment andretention strategies within the health care services industry,and developing health career planning materials. Partnershipmembers secured federal funds for tuition assistance forradiologic technologists, registered nurses, licensed practicalnurses, and clinical site coordinators. The group is currentlyplanning a Nursing Retention conference for nursesstatewide. The conference is designed for active nursesseeking tools to manage the everyday challenges of being anurse. The panel’s 2005 focus is on increasing trainingcapacity, retention, and educating the community regardingcareer opportunities in the target occupations of nursing,radiology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

Health Care. Southwest Washington is focusing on thecritical health care worker shortage in its four-county area.The project has formed a skill panel comprised of health careprofessionals, labor, Clark and Lower Columbia colleges, theSouthwest WDC, and economic development policymakers.The panel began by developing a tool kit and training programfor school counselors and WorkSource Center staff to recruitpeople into health care careers. The panel is currentlyassessing skill gaps and labor shortages in the region’s healthcare industry, identifying solutions, and developing animplementation plan, including funding options.

Pulp and Paper. The worldwide trend of the pulp and paperindustry is to automate and use technology to produce a greaternumber of products with fewer, but more highly skilledworkers. To keep the industry viable in southwest Washingtonand in the nation, the National Science Foundation (NSF)recently named Lower Columbia College (LCC) to be a partof a broader National Pulp and Paper Technology Center. TheWDC, in partnership with LCC, recently launched the Pulpand Paper Skill Panel to leverage the expertise of the NSF togather input and involvement from experts in the field, notonly in southwest Washington, but also across the westernUnited States. Panel members will include representativesfrom education, labor, supplier businesses, and pulp andpaper companies in both Washington and Oregon. The panelwill initially undertake a needs assessment to determine themost pressing issues to help guide the NSF project.

CONTACTNuala Davies-ShomanSouthwest WashingtonWorkforce DevelopmentCouncil360-567-1076ndavies-shoman@swwdc.orgwww.swwdc.org

CONTACTLisa NisenfeldSouthwest WashingtonWorkforce [email protected]

Southwest WashingtonWorkforce DevelopmentRegion

WAHKIAKUMCOWLITZ

CLARK

SKAMANIA


Transportation. The Southwest WDC, Columbia RiverEconomic Development Council, Clark College, industryleaders, local ports, and other area partners are creating anew skill panel focusing on transportation technologies thatmove commercial products in and around the trade-centeredVancouver region. The Transportation Skill Panel will gatherinformation on air, rail, truck, and supply chain workforcecapacities to enhance the cargo handling for the huge volumeof exports traveling through the Ports of Vancouver andPortland. The panel is analyzing labor market information,identifying skill gaps, and developing a strategic plan toaddress the industry’s workforce needs. Panel members willcreate occupational profiles and related assessments toimprove applicant placement and retention rates. The panelwill also determine the need for workplace literacy forincumbent workers, explore apprenticeship trainingopportunities, and recommend new training programs.

Biomedical. Inland Northwest encompasses 4 states, 2provinces, and over 900,000 people. The region hassignificant higher education assets, including two researchuniversities, multiple private training institutes, a regionaluniversity, and a number of excellent community colleges. Itis also home to a federal laboratory, which conducts over$700 million dollars in research annually. In late 2000, theSpokane WDC contracted with the Inland NorthwestTechnology Education Center (INTEC) to form a BiomedicalSkill Panel supporting an economic development strategylinking regional health care delivery to an emergingbiotechnology and biosciences cluster. The interface ofbioscience and health care is projected to be an importanteconomic driver in Inland Northwest.

The biomedical skill panel was one of the first strategiesused by INTEC to integrate workforce and economicdevelopment. Since then, INTEC has developed careerladders and skill standards in biotechnology, medicalinfomatics, and medical technology. The skill panelsupported the development of two short courses, Introductionto Information Technology in Health Care and Lab Booksand Legal Issues. INTEC partnered with others to securefederal grants for a biopharmaceutical manufacturingeducation demonstration project and a biotechnologyacademy. INTEC is currently partnering with WSU to identifythe workforce development needs of the medical researchindustry cluster. It is also partnering with WSU and SpokaneCommunity College to develop a certificate program forClinical Research Coordinator .

CONTACTJohn BaumhoferSpokane Area WorkforceDevelopment Council509-625-6210 [email protected]

SPOKANE

Spokane County WorkforceDevelopment Region

CONTACTLynne St. JeanSouthwest WashingtonWorkforce [email protected]


Construction. Spokane, with its aging constructionworkforce, anticipates a significant upturn in publicconstruction projects. At the same time, the area isexperiencing a marked decrease in the number of youngpeople who are choosing construction as a career path. Theskill panel is researching factors that are influencing potentialworkers’ interest in the industry, examining best practices,and defining skills for preapprenticeship training, including“green” or sustainable construction methods. The team willidentify and support local recruitment strategies that havespecial appeal to young people and their parents. Panelmembers will also develop strategies to engage high schoolcounselors and school administrators.

Health Care. Health care is a significant force in Spokane.Workforce issues, such as shortages of nursing personneland skill gaps caused by rapidly changing technologies, arean impediment to Spokane’s well being and economicgrowth. This skill panel is creating a seamless system ofeducation, leading to employment in high-demand healthcare occupations by: (1) identifying employer needs; (2)increasing capacity for health care training through effectiveuse of available resources; (3) increasing work-based andapprenticeship programs leading to employment in the healthcare industry; (4) promoting greater articulation amongeducational institutions; (5) allowing workers to progressalong identified career ladders; (6) increasing the flow ofstudents entering training programs by enhancing“information and referral”; and (7) identifying and applyingfor other funding.

Manufacturing. The Spokane Regional Chamber ofCommerce is convening this new Advanced ManufacturingSkill Panel with business, labor, and educationrepresentation. The Chamber will draw support from its 1,400members. The effort commits the Chamber’s ManufacturingRoundtable and several businesses throughout the region.The panel will survey the region’s technology manufacturersto identify skill gaps, inventory existing training programs,clarify employment and training needs, and publish panelfindings, priorities, and recommendations. Business,education (including school counselors), labor, andgovernment leaders will be invited to a town hall meeting tobring awareness to the value of manufacturing, promoteindustry employment opportunities, and highlight criticalworkforce training needs. Panel members will promotepathways to careers in the industry and advocate for trainingprograms and specialized training equipment.

CONTACTJohn BaumhoferSpokane Area WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]

CONTACTRichard HadleySpokane Chamber [email protected]

CONTACTJoanne MurcarCommunity Colleges [email protected]/


Information Technology. Funded by the Legislature in early2001, INTEC facilitates collaboration between business andeducation to stimulate workforce and economic developmentin Spokane’s key industrial sectors. In 2002, INTEC createdpartnerships in cyber-security, energy technologies, wirelesstechnologies, software development, and health careinformatics. Examples of INTEC’s work include: (1)partnering with Spokane Community College, local schooldistricts, and the region’s bioscience employers to developbiotechnology curriculum and the biotechnology academy;(2) creating and delivering a certification program supportingthe biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry; and (3)creating a new business accelerator model, ConnectNorthwest, to support the formation of new technology-based business.

Construction. When the Tacoma-Pierce County WDCidentified construction as one of its five high-demandindustries, it had substantial information supporting theformation of a Construction Skill Panel. Occupational datarevealed that Pierce County accounted for 10 percent of thestate’s construction-related employment (about 15,000positions). It also found that more than half of the peopleworking these positions are quickly approaching retirementand not enough young people are choosing construction as atrade. The WDC partnered with the Pierce CountyConstruction Partnership to conduct a construction industrylabor market survey, analyze data, disseminate results, anddevelop a five-year strategic plan. The skill panel developedand implemented a coordinated marketing campaign,developed construction career pathways, orchestrated asuccessful apprenticeship fair, and developed magnet andsummer school programs. It is currently replicatingpreapprenticeship training programs in various trades;expanding targeted school districts; developing aConstruction Management program at Pierce College; andcollaborating with the health care skill panel to implement aYouth Workforce Development Initiative.

Electronics. A 2002 study identified 75 high-tech and 140high-tech related companies in the south Puget Sound area.More than 75 percent of these companies, along with localmilitary bases, depend upon electronics technicians tomaintain production processes, facility operations, andequipment service. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projectsthat industry demand for electronics technicians inWashington State will increase by 25 percent from 4,800 in1998 to 6,050 in 2008. Electronics training programs atcommunity and technical colleges have not been able to keep

CONTACTWillie ElliottPierce County WorkforceDevelopment [email protected].

CONTACTLinda [email protected]

PIERCE

Pierce County WorkforceDevelopment Region

CONTACTLewis [email protected]


up with new technologies and demand for more highlyspecialized electronics workers. To address these problems,the Pierce County Careers Connection (PC3) and PierceCollege created an Electronics Skill Panel. The panelconducted a labor market analysis and needs assessment,evaluated existing electronics training programs, and createdelectronics articulation agreements with high schools andcolleges. It drafted skill standards for two occupationalclusters: the Industrial Systems and Electronics OccupationalCluster and Information/Communications SystemsElectronics Occupational Cluster. In 2004-2005, the panel willinvestigate, using research and focus groups, nanotechnologyand its effect on the electronics industry and other industriesin Washington State. The research will be shared witheducation partners to explore responses in educationalprograms to employment needs of the new technology.

Health Care. In 2001, the Tacoma-Pierce County WDCtargeted the health care sector because personnel shortageswere impacting the county’s health and economy. PierceCounty’s largest private sector employers, MultiCare, GoodSamaritan, and Franciscan, partnered with government-basedhealth care providers, long-term care facilities, labor,colleges, and universities. This business-led partnership setgoals to increase training capacity, develop a supply oftrained health care workers, increase awareness of health careoccupations and training opportunities, and increase studentand career retention. To meet these goals, the partnershipleveraged $9 million in public funds and $4.5 million inprivate and local resources. It expanded capacity in severalhigh-demand health care training programs. It created asatellite Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist program andimplemented the first-ever registered Health UnitCoordinator apprenticeship program in Washington. It alsodeveloped Magnetic Resonance Imaging and ComputedTomography apprenticeship programs. To increase awarenessof health care occupations, the panel developed the<healthjobs4you.com> website and held 17 Health CareOccupations workshops in the last year alone. The panel iscurrently increasing the number of youth accessing industry-supported training during and after high school byconducting targeted K-12 outreach. This strategy is beingaccomplished with outreach workshops, nurse and healthcare camps, volunteer and job shadowing opportunities, andan in-demand scholarship program. Finally, underrepresentedpopulations are recruited with translated workshop materials,comprehensive career coaching, and career fairs.

CONTACTMaryellen HillTacoma-Pierce CountyWorkforce [email protected]


Homeland Security. Pierce College is building on itsHomeland Security Center of Excellence by partnering withthe state’s Emergency Management Division to form a skillpanel. The panel will address the critical need in both thepublic and private sectors for trained security-relatedprofessionals. It will: (1) define education and trainingopportunities in Homeland Security and related disciplines;(2) conduct a regional, industry cluster, labor marketanalysis; (3) develop a plan to identify Homeland Securityskill sets related to basic requirements across disciplines; and(4) review job skills for occupations in public health, firesuppression, law enforcement, emergency management,hazardous materials, emergency first responders,transportation, port operations, and for the HomelandSecurity Department. The panel will also play a key role insupporting and guiding the development of the HomelandSecurity Center of Excellence at Pierce College, identifyingskills and training gaps, and producing tools, products, andrecommendations.

Information Technology. In 2003, there were 10.3 millionIT jobs in the nation. Although software companies hiremany IT workers, nine out of ten are employed by banks,insurance companies, manufacturing firms, and other non-ITbusinesses. With its large government, trade, andmanufacturing sectors, Pierce County’s economy includesa healthy number of IT producers and workers. Despitethe recent downturn in IT employment, employers continueto complain that they cannot find candidates with the skillsand experience they need. PC3 and Pierce College created apanel of 10 industry leaders to provide guidance andexpertise to Pierce County high school, college, anduniversity IT programs as they increased their capacity toprovide high-quality workforce and education trainingprograms. The panel analyzed Pierce County’s IT industry,created 11 articulation agreements enabling students totransfer successfully IT credits from high school tocommunity colleges to four-year universities, and promotedIT career and work-based learning opportunities amongPierce County students. In 2005-2006, the panel will continueto encourage and promote IT careers by organizing andsupporting the 2005 Pierce County Technology Competitionfor high school and college students and the 2005 TechnologyTour for educators. The panel is embarking on a newinitiative of investigating the electronic gaming industry—anindustry with growing employment needs.

CONTACTLinda [email protected]

CONTACTJo Anne BariaPierce [email protected]


Food Processing. The Eastern Washington Agriculture andFood Processing Partnership was created to meet employerneed to upgrade the skills of incumbent workers in two ofWashington’s largest and most labor-intensive industries—food processing and farming. This public-private partnershipworked together to find solutions to close a widening skillgap problem. Federal and state agencies contributed fundsand expertise to the project. Participating employers contributedindustry match. The Northwest Food Processors Associationand the Washington Growers League guided the partnershipby identifying jobs common to both industries and by settingskill standards associated with these jobs. An existing labor-management committee provided leadership and projectoversight. The partnership created and delivered customizedtraining courses for more than 700 workers in 32 companies.Workers receiving training secured wage increases due toincreased productivity. Recently, the Tri-County WDCdecided to reformat the original skill panel specifically forKittitas, Yakima, and Klickitat Counties. It earmarked fundsto meet industry skill upgrade needs starting in February2005. Now named the Tri-County Agriculture and FoodProcessing Skill Panel, the new panel’s goals and outcomeswill mirror the original Agriculture and Food ProcessingSkill Panel objectives. The skill panel will continue toidentify industry skill gaps, design customized curriculum,and deliver training in a flexible manner to facilitate industryneed. It is expected that technical skill upgrades in thefollowing courses of study will continue to assist the industryin remaining competitive in our global economy: hydraulics/pneumatics, ammonia refrigeration, motor controls,instrumentation, and programmable logic controls.

Health Care. Health service is one of the largest and mostimportant industries in Yakima, Kittitas, and KlickitatCounties. In Yakima alone, the health service industryprovides over 8,000 jobs. Unfortunately, the WashingtonHealth Care Personnel Shortage Task Force and a recentlocal study of health care providers identified criticalshortages of health care technicians, therapists, dentaloccupations, and all levels of nursing. The Tri-County WDCbrought together a group of health, education, business, andlabor leaders to devise local solutions to the region’s shortageof health care personnel. This effort resulted in thedevelopment of a Grow Your Own workforce plan for theTri-County region. The plan increases: (1) awareness ofhealth care occupations; (2) the numbers of people preparedto enter health care fields; (3) access to education andtraining programs; and, (4) the region’s ability to recruit andretain specialty occupations.

CONTACTDavid GonzalesTri-County WorkforceDevelopment Council509-574-1950davidgonzales@co.yakima.wa.uswww.co.yakima.wa.us/e&t

CONTACTPatrick BaldozTri-County WorkforceDevelopment [email protected]

Tri-County WorkforceDevelopment Region

KITTITAS

KLICKITAT

YAKIMA


Construction. The purpose of Tri-County WDC’s newConstruction Skill Panel is to meet industry and employeeskill upgrade needs and to secure industry market andemployment retention on a broad range of constructionoccupations where current and future skill shortages havebeen identified. Panel members include representation fromcontractors, unions, and educators. The panel has five majorgoals: (1) develop career ladders; (2) develop and delivercore curricula customized by the building trades(preapprenticeship training); (3) develop and delivercustomized training for incumbent workers; (4) identifyspecific training needed to fill jobs where skill gaps arise;and, (5) conduct ongoing evaluation of the industry andproject components. The panel was established in July 2004.Over the past few months, the major result has been thebuilding of new partnerships among employers, labor, theYakama Nation, and the workforce development system. Thepanel agreed upon its purpose, responsibilities, and processfor making decisions. Training outcomes achieved thus farinclude: 14 people successfully completed the core trainingand 24 incumbent workers received industry certificates and/or credentials.

Manufacturing. Important to central Washington’s economicdiversity, manufacturing jobs are projected to grow,especially in the wood processing, metal fabrication, andplastics sectors. The skill panel identified the need to addressskill gaps in the three sectors through employer focus groups,Employment Security data, and the region’s economicdevelopment community. The project conducted a labormarket and worker skills gap survey, identified skill sets forcore and specialized positions, and developed trainingcurricula. The panel is currently advising the Tri-CountyWDC in a Lean Manufacturing Training Initiative inpartnership with local economic development agencies. Overthe past two years, 50 manufacturing companies and 250employees in Kittitas, Yakima, and Klickitat counties havebenefited. The Lean Initiative has become a novel tool thatstimulates efficiency and output through business innovation.It is in demand among local manufacturers as they strive tofind ways to remain competitive in our global economy.Industry investment in the Tri-County region has more thandoubled public training resources through matching fundsand cost-sharing arrangements.

CONTACTCurtis KapleTri-County WorkforceDevelopment Council509-574-1950curtis.kaple@co.yakima.wa.uswww.co.yakima.wa.us/e&t

CONTACTKathy ThomasTri-County WorkforceDevelopment Council509-574-1950kathy.thomas@co.yakima.wa.uswww.co.yakima.wa.us/e&t

Rick BenderRepresenting Labor

Terry BergesonWashington State Superintendent ofPublic Instruction

Don BrunellRepresenting Business

Earl HaleExecutive Director, Washington State Boardfor Community and Technical Colleges

Julianne HannerRepresenting Business

WASHINGTON STATE

Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

Board Members

David HarrisonChair

Karen LeeCommissioner, Washington StateEmployment Security Department

Tony LeeRepresenting Target Populations

Asbury LockettRepresenting Business

John McGinnisRepresenting Labor

Beth ThewRepresenting Labor

Participating Officials

Robin Arnold-WilliamsSecretary, WashingtonState Department ofSocial and Health Services

VacantRepresenting Local ElectedOfficials

Ellen O’Brien SaundersExecutive Director

The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board does not discriminate ordeny services on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability.

This publication is available in alternative format upon request.

Our Vision

Washington’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board is an active and effective partnership of labor,business, and government leaders guiding the best workforce development system in the world.

Our MissionWe shape strategies to create and sustain a high-skill, high-wage economy.

To fulfill this Mission, the Board will:

• Advise the Governor, Legislature, and other policymakers on workforce development policy and innovative practice.

• Promote a seamless workforce development system that anticipates and meets the lifelong learning and employmentneeds of our current and future workforce.

• Advocate for the training and education needed for success in the 75–80 percent of jobs that do not require abaccalaureate degree

• Ensure quality and accountability by evaluating results, and supporting high standards and continuous improvement.

industry skill 2005 panels...• south puget sound community college doubled the capacity of its...

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