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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Trade jobs in the area begging for workers Officials meet to focus on filling needs in the area's construction and industrial sectors. By Mike Benbow Herald Writer EVERETT -- Schools these days are so focused on sending kids to college that they aren't talking much about the good-paying jobs in various trades. "I think it's a crisis," said Crystal Donner, executive vice president of Perteet Engineering in Everett. "We're all desperate to find people." Donner was among a group of business operators, students, educators and others who met Tuesday with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., at Sno-Isle Skills Center in Everett to talk about workforce issues. All agreed that schools are focusing too much on college and standard achievements tests and not enough on helping to connect students with jobs that go begging. Dave Johnson of the state building trades apprenticeship program said estimates are that the construction industry is short about 160,000 workers every year because baby boomers are retiring and not enough skilled young people are available. "The feeling is that if you're not college bound, you're a second-class citizen," Johnson said. "There are more career paths than going to college." He said that during the past 15 months, the apprentice programs have gone from 8,200 members to 18,000, but that still is far short of the workers needed. J.J. Frank, who works for the YMCA to help young members of minority groups, said a stronger jobs program is needed to reduce the dropout rate. The students on the panel were well aware of the jobs available, having learned them through school-related programs, but most agreed that many young people aren't aware of them. "You have to be interested to look into it and not all students are interested," said Samantha Livers of Snohomish. Sue Ambler, director of the Snohomish County Workforce Development Council, told the senator that colleges are coming into the schools every day, but apprenticeship programs are rarely seen. "Until they're part of the regular program, things aren't going to change," she said. "People have to find that dusty book way in the back." Michael Burow, a Kamiak High School student, said more career classes aren't what are needed. Noting that may students would find such classes boring, he suggested the schools come up with other ways to get young people excited about different careers. He said he loves the welding program that he's in at the skills center and really enjoys getting a chance to learn new things. Michelle Johnstone, another Kamiak student, said the school focus on standard achievement tests, such as the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, has students and teachers stressed out. "There's not enough emphasis put on the work force," she said. Murray questioned the panelists for answers to the problems, noting that there seemed to be "a lot of barriers in place," preventing most students from learning about opportunities other than college. "We're all very well versed on what the issues are, but we're not on the same page," said Frank. "It doesn't seem like we're together."

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