Gov. Gregoire announces $1.5 million to support aerospace training programs

For Immediate Release: October 15, 2009

EVERETT � Gov. Chris Gregoire today joined leaders in the aerospace industry, Snohomish County elected officials and community college presidents to announce $1.5 million in Workforce Investment Act funds to support the state�s aerospace training programs. Gregoire made the announcement at Everett Community College�s Aviation Maintenance and Technical School at Paine Field.

�We know we have two fundamental challenges in keeping our competitive edge in the aerospace industry,� Gregoire said. �We have to recruit new workers, and we have to make sure both our current and incoming workers have cutting-edge skills. To accomplish that, we must invest in our education and training system.�

Of the $1.5 million for aerospace training programs:
� $600,000 will help with development of Aerospace Centers in Snohomish County and Spokane for joint industry-college training.
� $500,000 will purchase equipment to ensure students are trained on the latest equipment and with the newest technology.
� $200,000 will help develop career paths that help students move easily from high school, through community college and into four-year schools.
� $100,000 will assist with coordinating programs at the state�s training facilities.
� $100,000 will help develop ways to link research findings with training curricula.

�These kinds of additional investments are hard to come by in today�s economy,� Gregoire said. �But tough times are a great time to invest in our people. These steps will strengthen Washington�s advantage in aerospace, our workers. I especially appreciate the help of Sen. Patty Murray in securing these funds.�
�Governor Gregoire�s leadership in maintaining a world-class higher education system and her interest in supporting cutting-edge aerospace training programs benefit all Washington citizens,� said Charlie Earl, executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. �As part of this work, the creation of two new training facilities will provide a competitive advantage for Washington�s aviation and aerospace enterprises.�
Today�s announcement is the latest in a series of steps the state is taking to further improve its business competitiveness in aerospace.

Gregoire in May signed an executive order creating the Washington Council on Aerospace. The council has been charged with providing advice to the governor and Legislature on how Washington can improve its attractiveness to the aerospace industry. The council is also responsible for streamlining aerospace training programs at the state�s community and technical colleges, and four-year universities.

Earlier this month at the Governor�s Aerospace Summit in Spokane, Gregoire said she would propose extending a tax credit granted to FAA-certified repair stations to 2024. The current tax credit is set to expire in 2011. This complements the up to $3.4 billion in incentives already enacted for the aerospace industry.



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