MANUFACTURING A STRONG WORKFORCE
The I-90 Aerospace Corridor is filled with hardworking , can-do manufacturing leaders , who are not afraid to take action and explore new avenues for solving problems . This is evidenced in innovative technologies , entrepreneurial ventures , and workforce development solutions . The Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium ( INWAC ) is pleased to be able to share two examples of companies who have taken the bull by the horns and implemented workforce development initiatives that are building internal talent and growing the manufacturing workforce funnel .
Building a Strong Workforce In-house
Staci Nelson Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium http :// inwac . org
Unitech Composites , part of the Unitech Group , manufactures structural and non-structural laminate products for a wide array of defense and commercial aerospace applications . Founded in 1979 in Hayden , Idaho , the company has a long history as a leading composites manufacturer for customers including The Boeing Company , Spirit Aerosystems , and the U . S . Department of Defense .
INLAND NORTHWEST AEROSPACE CONSORTIUM
54 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS
With the growing demand for lightweight parts to manufacture next generation aircraft , Unitech ’ s capabilities position them to be key players in the aerospace supply chain for years to come . But composites production can be labor intensive , with a high degree of manual operations and handling required . Combine that with the need for skilled workers with the current shortage of labor and it ’ s easy to see why Unitech employs a variety of tools to retain and attract talent .