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They like it thiiiiiis much

• Published March 25, 2008

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We at The Olympian were a bit surprised at the star power lined up for a event this morning at New Market Skills Center in Tumwater: U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, Rep. Brian Baird, schools chief Terry Bergeson, the governor’s chief of staff Cindy Zehnder, Employment Security Department Director Karen Lee, and even an assistant secretary from the U.S. Department of Labor, Brent Orrell.

Could this really be just about a $5 million grant for workforce development?

Turns out, yes it could.

The folks there gathered under the umbrella of Pacific Mountain Workforce Consortium, representing businesses, unions and governments in Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.

And they have been dogged in their determination to land that grant, known as WIRED.

“I think we’re making progress when you run into Senator Cantwell in the halls of Congress, and you say ‘Good morning, senator,’ and she says, ‘How’s the WIRED grant coming?’” joked Bob Guenther, a lobbyist for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

The federal and state luminaries were talking to a crowd of about 160 local leaders interested in skilled workers, but not necessarily B.A.s. Think Ocean Spray, the Tumwater School Board, Centralia College, and the like.

Exhibit A for the program’s potential Tuesday was Jonathan Villanueva, a 2007 graduate of Centralia High School,who went to the skills center 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.

"Nothing wrong with that," said Baird.

But seriously, Villanueva said he appreciated the training and has plans to become a foreman.