DEVELOPING TALENT IN SKILLED TRADES IS CRITICAL IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THAT EXPERTISE IS IN HIGH DEMAND AND LOW SUPPLY.
December 2025 | January 2026 EXCLUSIVE NEWS FROM BOEING
DEVELOPING TALENT IN SKILLED TRADES IS CRITICAL IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THAT EXPERTISE IS IN HIGH DEMAND AND LOW SUPPLY.
Manufacturing leaders in the Pacific Northwest and around the country are investing in their workforce because that is where the future of American exceptionalism resides. This is particularly true in the aerospace industry.
Aerospace generates approximately $ 71 billion in Washington State and supports more than 250,000 jobs. The state is consistently ranked first in the nation for aerospace production, exports, and employment and has an expansive supply chain of technical and skilled workers. In fact, Washington’ s aerospace supply chain is the largest in the United States.
This massive aerospace ecosystem is powered by people, and right now, there is a growing shortage of skilled workers to keep it operating at full capacity. An increase in retirement and a lack of new talent in the skilled trades is creating a problem that is only amplified by the growing demand for more products.
20 | NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS