CHAIR AWARD
AN INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE IS A STRONG WORKFORCE .
Skills Inc . ( Skills ), a nonprofit social enterprise with a social mission of expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities , was established in 1966 with a $ 5,000 grant from the Boeing Employee Good Neighbor Fund . Originally located in the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard , the organization now operates out of three facilities in Auburn , Washington , with approximately 200,000 square feet of space , and has a team of 300 employees . As a contract manufacturer , they provide a broad set of manufacturing capabilities and special processing ( finish ) services to the aerospace industry .
As one of the largest aerospace suppliers in Washington State , Skills is part of the supply chain for OEMs such as Boeing , Northrop Grumman , and Blue Origin . Leading the organization is CEO Todd Dunnington . He believes that the future of aerospace manufacturing will include a more diverse workforce . And the quickest way to that vision is through lean manufacturing practices that promote standardization and the streamlined transfer of knowledge to new employees .
The goal at Skills is to provide safe , capable and efficient processes to meet their customer ’ s requirements . They have proven that setting employees up for success and making sure no one is left behind is just good business . Removing tribal knowledge and embracing standardized processes along with a culture of continuous improvement is one of several important ways to solve the looming crisis of too few workers joining the industry . Walking through their facilities , you see tremendous investment in state-of-the-art equipment and technology .
Such investments and process improvements , however , are completed with an eye towards making sure they are accessible , standardized and employee friendly .
Skills serves as a model for inclusion and best practices in recruiting , onboarding , and employing individuals with disabilities . It might surprise some readers that most disabilities are nonapparent . Mr . Dunnington points out that “. . . disabilities may be physical , medical , sensory , learning , or emotional . Our goal is to Todd Dunnington , Skills Inc . change the narrative and we do this by normalizing disabilities and removing the stigma that people with disabilities may feel .”
At Skills , employees are valued for their abilities , and the focus is on job fit ; where employees are hired for what they CAN do . The organization has implemented a structured onboarding process to identify potential accommodations , fostering an environment where individuals with and without disabilities successfully work side by side across all departments . “ We focus on hiring outstanding people ,” says Dunnington . Workplace expectations center around respect for coworkers and working to one ' s full potential , creating a culture of shared success . The result is a level of teamwork and collaboration that helps Skills stand out as a preferred place to work . This helps with both recruiting and retention . Noteworthy , sixty percent of the employees at Skills have a disability and workplace expectations are the same for everyone .
In addition to being a highly respected aerospace supplier , Skills also provides vocational programs for adults and youth . For over two decades Skills has managed an Aerospace Internship Program serving high school juniors and seniors with disabilities . This initiative has equipped over 1,000 students with essential work readiness skills , preparing them for successful employment journeys once they leave high school .
Truly , Skills winning the 2024 PNAA Chair Award is a testament to its unwavering dedication to a culture of inclusion . Skills , along with PNAA , supports the notion that “ aerospace manufacturing is for everyone .” As they continue to inspire change and lead by example , Skills stands as a role model for a more inclusive and innovative future in the Pacific Northwest aerospace industry .
This award is chosen by PNAA ' s board chair to recognize the contribution of an individual , company or organization in raising the standard of the Aerospace Industry in the Pacific Northwest .
PNAA ADVANCE / 2024
FEBRUARY | MARCH 2024 ISSUE NO . 37 79