The Olympian

Grant fortifies work force training

State lawmakers laud $5 million at Tuesday celebration

By Adam Wilson | The Olympian • Published March 26, 2008

Amid dire predictions about the U.S. job market, South Sound has received a $5 million boost for worker training and economic development.

A celebration Tuesday at Tumwater's New Market Skills Center focused on the U.S. Department of Labor's grant to a local coalition for worker training and economic development, one of 13 awarded nationwide.

"Especially at a time when people are worried about the economy, they say, 'What are you doing about the economy?' Here's part of the answer," said U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash. "One of things we're doing is trying to build the work force of tomorrow."

Exhibit A for the retraining and development program's potential was Jonathan Villanueva, a 2007 graduate of Centralia High School, who trained at New Market and now makes $19 an hour as a carpenter.

"It's not only about the money; well, it is kind of about the money," Villanueva said, prompting laughter from a crowd of about 160.

"Ever since I graduated, probably three weeks later, I joined the union. Probably two weeks later, I got a phone call, (asking) if I wanted to work at the Great Wolf Lodge. It's really great, the pay, the benefits, medical, the vacation — wow," he said.

And new industries are forming, partly the result of state legislation and initiatives demanding more alternative fuels and renewable sources of energy, said Jim Walton, president of Centralia College.

"In 1991, there was one renewable-energy project in the Northwest. In 2007, there were 60," he said, pointing to a biodiesel plant in Aberdeen as an example.

The $5 million pays for programs aimed at retooling the regional manufacturing, energy and construction industries for new technology, as well as training workers to fill high-demand fields in the trades.

"You have recognized the needs of industry, and the way they are changing around the world and in the state of Washington," said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. "The days when a good job is available with nothing more than a high school diploma and a willingness to work are really slipping away in America."

The Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development grant will be used to pay for grants through a five-county group, the Pacific Mountain Workforce Consortium. The group represents businesses, unions and governments in Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.

The grant will be used to fund new computer training classes for manufacturing workers, alternative-fuel classes, and regional marketing and other projects for three years, said Cheryl Batalon Fambles, the consortium director.

The announcement Tuesday was attended by county commissioners, school board members, the governor's chief of staff, the state schools chief and representatives from Ocean Spray, PanelTech and other businesses.

Hits to the region's economy and the Cosmopolis pulp mill in Grays Harbor County have helped focus attention on modern, environmentally friendly jobs, said U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

"There's a fervor in the community," she said.