Education beyond high school is win-win for students, economy

caolsonIn the news

Eastern Washington is rich with opportunities for a good quality of life, including well-paid careers in a variety of sectors. We are a regional hub for health care and are educating the next generation of health care professionals. We are home to hundreds of manufacturing businesses in aerospace, medical equipment, paper and plastic products, and more. Information technology companies are … Read More

Alaska Air to add thousands of jobs in 2019

caolsonIn the news

Alaska Air Group plans to add just over 3,000 jobs in 2019, mostly front-line positions across Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, with three quarters of the jobs in Washington state. The company’s workforce at its Seattle hub grew by about 35 percent between 2013 and 2017. More…

Construction sector is building jobs as the county grows

caolsonIn the news

Positions in that field may increase by 2.4 percent in 2019. That’s higher than most industries. EVERETT — The growth that’s happening in Snohomish County has helped create jobs. Apartment complexes and business spaces that have been built here in the past couple of years have made construction one of the top industries for employment. That’s expected to continue for … Read More

Editorial: How to fill 740,000 job openings in the state

caolsonIn the news

A state investment of $110 million will help guide students’ paths to fulfilling and well-paid jobs. Dwarfed by bigger-ticket items in Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed $54.4 billion budget for the 2019-21 biennium released last week — including K-12 education, mental health services and environmental work — it would be easy to overlook some $110 million in spending. More…

STEM Education Support Key to Diverse Workforce of Tomorrow

caolsonIn the news

SEATTLE – How will Washington state diversify its workforce as technology radically changes the jobs landscape? One answer is investment in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, education for underserved students. By 2030, two-thirds of family-sustaining job openings in the Evergreen State are projected to require STEM credentials, according to the group Washington STEM. More…