Washington Business Fall 2019 | Washington Business | Page 27

what’s working
hands-on learning
Many Washington employers have consistently said that a lack of
qualified workers is negatively impacting their business. Part of
the problem is simple demographics, experts say, as the longtime
workers with vast institutional knowledge retire. And others like
CSR’s Anderson are especially passionate supporters of hands-
on learning. His industrial arts teacher showed him the path to
becoming a machinist.
“Without that shop class I would not be talking to you today,” he said.
Anderson graduated, got a job, and eventually started CSR Marine
with a partner. Today they employ about 50 mechanics, painters,
installers and other specialists at the full-service boatyards near
Seattle’s Ballard Locks, and Des Moines.
Anderson also highlighted the way that Core Plus skills can
transfer from company to company. He’s hired Boeing employees,
and some of his workers have left CSR to work at Boeing.
“I think the single biggest thing is it provides a
really solid foundation that we can count on.”

— Sarah Patterson, program supervisor, state Office of
Superintendent of Public Instruction
“All of this knowledge is transferable,” Anderson said. “Boats
float, planes fly. They both have electrical systems, they both have
heating systems, they both have engines, they both have finishes.
It’s all the same, it’s just in a different environment.”
In recent years he’s been lucky to hire two Core Plus graduates,
but it’s not enough. He could use another five people today.
“We’re looking all the time,” he said.
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