WA Legislature Dedicates Funds to Prepare Workers for Aerospace Jobs

The 2012 supplemental budget approved by Washington lawmakers includes funding for initiatives aimed at establishing a skilled workforce, enhancing competitiveness of existing industries and supporting university research to grow a strong aerospace cluster. The funding is part of a $9.8 million plan proposed by Gov. Chris Gregoire last year to enhance the state's education system in anticipation of new jobs in the aerospace sector (see the issue of the Nov. 16, 2011 issue of the Digest). To pursue joint industry-university research that can be used in aerospace firms, lawmakers passed a bill (SB 5982) creating the Center for Aerospace Technology and Innovation. The center will be operated as a multi-institutional education and research center under the authority of the University of Washington (UW) and Washington State University. A board appointed by the governor is charged with recruiting researchers, assisting researchers and firms in guarding intellectual property and developing non-state support for research. The center also will work with aerospace firms to identify research needs and opportunities for technology transfer. The supplemental budget approved by lawmakers includes $1.5 million for UW and $65,000 for Innovate Washington (IW) in support of the center. IW's role is to nurture the spin off ideas, companies, and amplify the connections necessary for the center to be successful. In addition to supporting aerospace-related research, the governor's plan focuses on developing a pipeline of skilled workers through high school-to-postsecondary education and training. Three grant programs aimed at preparing students for careers in STEM and aerospace were approved under HB 2159 during the regular session. Funding in support of the initiatives ($700,000 total) was included in the recently approved supplemental budget detailed below. $300,000 for 12 high schools to implement an aerospace assembler program to train students for entry-level careers in the field; $250,000 for advanced Project Lead the Way courses at 10 high schools; and $150,000 for aerospace and manufacturing technical programs housed at two skill centers. The budget also includes $3.8 million each for UW and Washington State University to expand engineering enrollment in FY13. Last month, Gov. Gregoire appointed Alex Pietsch to head the new Governor's Aerospace Office, which is responsible for coordinating the various state agency efforts to support the industry. The 2012 supplemental budget bill is available at: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/House%20Pass....