SC: Washington is leading the national push on sustainable aviation fuel through efforts like the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator, which brings together industry, airlines, airports, Boeing and government to speed adoption and scale across the Pacific Northwest.
Flight path event panel discussion December 2025
SC: Absolutely. That’ s workforce and workforce development. We are number one in STEM workforce concentration, and of that, 45 % of those STEM workers are women. We’ re also ranked second for AI talent density. But we know that as technology evolves, we must ensure we’ re upskilling Washington’ s 130,000-plus aerospace workers.
Through our work with the Washington State Manufacturing Council and others, we’ re helping prepare aerospace workers for the future. We’ re helping expand access to registered apprenticeships, trade education, research and more.
Washington’ s brain trust is a national leader in science and engineering degrees. More than 90 % of residents are high school graduates, and more than 35 % have bachelor ' s degrees or higher. We also know they want to stay here after graduation: Three-quarters of University of Washington alumnae, our largest university, call Washington home.
At the same time, the state invested $ 10 million to establish a Sustainable Aviation Fuel( SAF) Research Center at Paine Field for research and testing infrastructure. We already have two SAF production facilities moving forward on the other side of the state, in Walla Walla and Moses Lake.
Through the Climate Commitment Act, our Energy Division is strategically investing in grid modernization and battery materials that can drive industry growth while reducing emissions. We don’ t need to choose between good jobs and a healthy climate.
JB: I love it. Commerce is helping shape the full webbing that’ s needed to support the industry and private sector growth. Do you have final thoughts to share with our industry partners?
SC: Yes! Supporting and growing Washington’ s aerospace ecosystem is essential to our state’ s economic future. At Commerce, we want to listen, learn and figure out how we can be most useful to our industry partners.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR A DEEPER DIVE AND TO CONNECT WITH US, VISIT CHOOSEWASHINGTONSTATE. COM
Finally, we’ re paying attention to the wrap-around supports, like transportation and child care that help make these pathways possible. As a working mom, I know firsthand that these types of supports are critical. When the aerospace sector does well, so do working families across Washington.
JB: Yes, I remember juggling child care and a full-time job when my kids were little – it’ s not for the weak! Finally, you mentioned energy. How is Commerce supporting the energy industry, and why does that matter for aerospace?
CONTACT ME AT JOANNA. BOATWRIGHT @ COMMERCE. WA. GOV COMMERCE. WA. GOV
48 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS