In partnership with National Skills Coalition, the Skills2Compete-Washington campaign seeks to raise awareness of the need to train Washington residents for middle-skill jobs, which require more than high school but less than a four-year degree. These jobs make up the largest portion of Washington's labor market. Prior to the recession, Washington was already experiencing shortages of middle-skill workers in crucial industries. With high unemployment throughout the nation, this is precisely the time to ensure Washington is training the middle-skill workforce that will be critical to economic recovery and long-term success. 

Key Partners

State Leads:

National Skills Coalition
Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council
Spokane Area Workforce Development Council 

Core Advisors:

Association of Washington Business
BRD Corp.
CANAM
Clark College 
Clover Park Technical College 
Cowlitz Economic Development Council
E&W Solutions
Economic Development Northwest
Greater Spokane Incorporated
Microsoft Corporation
Office of Port JOBS
Seattle Jobs Initiative
Solid Ground
South Central Workforce Council
South Seattle Community College
South Seattle Community College
Spokane Community College
The Boeing Company
University of Washington
Washington State Labor Council
Washington Workforce Association
Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County
Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County

Major Efforts

With National Skills Coalition, released Washington's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs, which generated widespread media attention. As part of National Skills Coalition’s Skills2Compete fly-in, representatives from S2C-WA met with members of Washington's Congressional Delegation in Washington, DC, to discuss report findings in November 2009. 

On September 24, 2008, National Skills Coaltion and the Skills2Compete-Washington campaign held a briefing on Capitol Hill for members and staff of the Washington Congressional Delegation. Hosted by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), panelists examined the importance of middle-skill jobs in Washington’s economy, the factors underlying the shortages of qualified workers for these well-paying jobs, and the steps federal policymakers can take to help states address these needs.

Publications and Resources

Reports:

Washington's Forgotten Middle-Skills Jobs: 2009 Update
National Skillls Coalition, November 2009

Report
Press Release: Puget Sound | Press Release: Spokane

Washington's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs
National Skills Coalition, June 2008

Report | Press Release

Audio Briefings:

Listen to audio clips from a press conference about the release of Washington's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs: 2009  report.

• Introduction and Report Overview | Agnes Balassa, National Skills Coalition
• Labor Perspective | Beth Thew, Spokane Regional Labor Council AFL-CIO
• Employer Perspective | Eric Hahn, President of General Plastics in Tacoma
• Public Workforce System Perspective | Mark Mattke, Spokane Area Workforce Development Council

Other Resources:

Policy Brief: Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Works
Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

Postsecondary Skill Fact or Fiction
Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

Media List

• Worker shortage looming | Spokesman Revew, 10.17.2009
• Post high school jobs skill training pushed | Northwest Public Radio, 10.14.2009