New center assists dislocated aerospace workers
04/29/2009
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The WorkSource Aerospace Center at 7020 196th St., Lynnwood, on the college campus, is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Call 425.640.1887 for job search assistance. |
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County and Edmonds College have opened a WorkSource Aerospace Center to help workers who've lost jobs in the industry find new employment.
The center, located on the college campus, provides services including job search assistance, resume writing workshops, and training opportunities. The college offers a number of degree and certificate programs to help workers upgrade their skills in aerospace manufacturing, including two-year transfer degrees in Materials Science Technology and Aerospace Manufacturing.
“Edmonds College is thrilled to be able to assist our community in this way," said Jerrilee Mosier, Edmonds College Vice President for Workforce Development and Training.
"It really is a perfect situation: the college has the expertise to run the site, and while many aerospace workers may be dislocated in the coming months, aerospace is still a growing industry, both locally and internationally. This is a perfect time for workers to receive skills upgrades in new technologies, helping them become more competitive on the job market.”
The WorkSource Aerospace Center opening comes at a critical time, when many aerospace workers are being dislocated from their jobs. Almost 35,000 people work in Snohomish County’s manufacturing cluster, of which the aerospace sector is a major portion.
“While we’re working extremely hard to protect aerospace jobs in Snohomish County, the recent layoffs at Boeing mean there are out-of-work employees needing help to land new occupations,” said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. “This center will ensure those men and women receive the training they deserve to start new careers.”
The center is a result of federal stimulus money for workforce development in Snohomish County.
“We feel fortunate to be receiving federal American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds to assist workers who are dislocated from aerospace industry jobs,” said Sue Ambler of the Workforce Development Council.
“The Aerospace Center is a perfect example of community partnership and the leveraging of resources that will get ARRA dollars out the door to help our workforce immediately.”