Washington Business Spring 2018 | Washington Business | Page 48

business backgrounder | education & workforce
Apprentices to the Rescue
Formal apprenticeships are critical to Washington’s future,
workforce leaders say.
Andrew Lenderman
Washington’s economy is red hot, but a skilled labor shortage is already slowing economic growth
— especially in rural counties. Now, a critical mass of industry and government leaders are working
together to raise awareness and boost spending on formal apprenticeship programs.
At A Glance
Many Washington employers are
struggling with a skilled labor shortage,
and one Everett company had to send
work overseas when one of their tool
and die makers retired.
Industry and state government leaders
are looking at formal apprenticeships
as one way for companies to grow and
cultivate their future workforce,
and plan ahead.
Registered apprenticeships involve
several years of on-the-job training,
paired with an experienced mentor.
These apprenticeships are recognized
and approved by state and federal
agencies. This real-world experience
is coupled with classroom learning,
partly subsidized by the state. Those
that complete the training become
licensed journeymen in their fields.
Businesses that want to hire
apprentices or learn more should
contact the state Department of Labor
and Industries at [phone].
AJAC: www.ajactraining.org
Washington Department of Labor
and Industries apprentice directory:
www.lni.wa.gov/tradeslicensing/apprenticeship
48 association of washington business
Four years ago, one of the
top tool and die makers at
SEA-LECT Plastics in Everett
retired. Vice President Matt
Poischbeg looked far and
— Matt Poischbeg, vice president, SEA-LECT Plastics
wide for a replacement.
He advertised. He hired a
headhunter. Nothing worked, and his company had to outsource the work overseas to keep
the business going. “We couldn’t find his replacement,” Poischbeg said. “There was just no
mold maker out there for hire.”
The consequences of this skilled labor shortage were real. “It basically put our business
at risk to the point that we couldn’t grow,” Poischbeg said.
This problem is often highlighted by AWB members. The message is similar from
aerospace, healthcare, information technology and manufacturing: We have good jobs, but
can’t find the right people to fill them.
As business and government leaders look for ways to address the problem, apprenticeships
are gaining new attention as one option. Registered apprenticeships offer steady wages,
“We couldn’t find his replacement.
There was just no mold maker
out there for hire.”