The Columbian – Apprenticeship programs could help attract the state’s next generation of aerospace employees.
Establishing pathways between the school system and the aviation industry could provide routes to careers.
And real-world exposures and career explorations could spark an interest in aerospace among even younger students.
Those were among some of the talking points Tuesday morning when U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., hosted a roundtable discussion at Pearson Air Museum in Vancouver.
Cantwell met with representatives of regional aerospace employers and science educators on ways to maintain the nation’s competitiveness in aerospace manufacturing.
The aerospace industry in Washington employs 83,700 people, representing more than one-sixth of all aerospace workers in the nation. However, a big share of them soon will be — or already are — eligible to retire.
“Employers are looking on their shop floors and seeing a lot of gray hair,” said Laura Hopkins, with the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee.
There are 18 aerospace or aerospace-related companies in Clark County, employing more than 1,000 workers.
As one of the most beautiful states in the union–and one of the richest in natural resources–Washington has a special interest in energy and environmental policy. And Maria has fought hard to uphold the state’s conservation tradition, while also working to bring our energy policy into the 21st century.
Maria knows Washington’s business community – because, as an executive at an innovative software company, she was part of it. And as a Senator, she’s led the way in helping businesses large and small throughout Washington grow, thrive, and create jobs.
Maria has taken a leadership role on safety and security issues, including defending our borders, strengthening our military, cracking down on gangs, and taking on drug crime in Washington communities
Middle-class families around Washington and across the country are facing tough times–and tough decisions about balancing the family checkbook each month. Maria has fought to strengthen the economic security of Washington families and cut taxes for middle-class families.
