18-052

Contact:
Jason Hagey, vice president, communications, Association of Washington Business, 360-943-1600
Paul Turek, ESD economist, 360-507-9599
Bill Tarrow, ESD deputy communications director, 360-902-9376

Partnership links job seekers with employers for high-wage careers

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee has declared October 2018 Careers in Manufacturing Month saluting Washington manufacturers for being a cornerstone of the state’s economy and providing high-wage, high-tech jobs across the state.

The Careers in Manufacturing Month proclamation is in partnership with the Association of Washington Business (AWB), the state’s largest business association and designated manufacturing association, the state’s WorkSource career center system and the Employment Security Department (ESD).

 
Today more than 280,000 Washingtonians work in the manufacturing sector, building everything from the best airplanes in the world to crafting the finest wines. In 2017, manufacturing accounted for $58.7 billion in total economic output. At an average annual wage of $76,300, manufacturing wages continue to beat the state’s average annual wage by roughly 23 percent.
Inslee announced the industry spotlight in time for AWB’s second annual Manufacturing Week bus tour Oct. 4-12 and National Manufacturing Day, which takes place Oct. 5. The proclamation and AWB’s statewide bus tour, along with the month-long manufacturing jobs focus by WorkSource, give workers and employers an avenue to connect to the hands-on, high-wage manufacturing jobs available across the state.

“I’m always inspired by the men and women I meet who are helping build and assemble the technologies and products being sold around the world,” Inslee said. “There are so many career opportunities for our young people in manufacturing, and we’re working hard to make sure they have the training and education to keep this sector strong.”

“Washington manufacturers need a skilled, trained and educated workforce to continue building many of the world’s finest products,” said AWB President Kris Johnson. “It’s a great time for job seekers looking for good-paying, hands-on jobs that support families and communities across Washington state. I’m pleased to partner with the Employment Security Department, WorkSource and the governor to highlight today’s ‘new-collar’ manufacturing careers throughout October and to share the many careers available in the sector.”

WorkSource and AWB have created a webpage on WorkSourceWA.com to promote careers in manufacturing. The site provides information on manufacturing jobs, career tracks, potential wages, training and testimonials from people who work in the manufacturing sector.
 
“We’re excited to partner with the Association of Washington Business to promote exciting, well-paying careers in manufacturing,” said Employment Security Commissioner Suzi LeVine. “WorkSource is an excellent resource for manufacturers to advertise their openings for free and to get help finding people for jobs at all levels.”
 
Employment Security is a partner in the statewide WorkSource system, which is locally led by Workforce Development Councils in communities across our state. WorkSource offers a variety of employment and training services for job seekers, including free help with resumes, interviewing and skills training. WorkSource also helps employers advertise jobs, convene hiring events and connect with subsidized employee training.

Below are employment projections for the manufacturing sector in Washington and for Workforce Development areas in Washington.

Manufacturing employment projections through 2019

Statewide and by region

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