washington business
Advance
Recognizing a business that has had a significant cause-oriented impact in its sector and / or community and contributed to the advancement of the economy. winner of the advance award
International Air and Hospitality Academy, Vancouver Founded: 1979 Number of employees: 42
Embodying the Award( Advance): The schools of the International Air and Hospitality Academy provide high-quality training at low cost to help students from all socio-economic groups find satisfying, well-paid careers. Founder Arch Miller’ s original vision in 1979 to provide excellent airline and travel training has grown to include coaching, mentoring and technical training for the hospitality, culinary, railroad and renewable energy industries.
About the company: Since 1979, International Air and Hospitality Academy( IAHA) and its four subsidiary schools have provided training that prepares graduates for careers in the airline / travel industry, hotel management, culinary arts, railroad operations and wind energy industry.
Its career training programs feature state-of-the-industry education built on industry best practice and certification requirements. They not only prepare students with the applicable technical skills they will need for employment, but also the soft skills and professionalism needed to excel.
Notable contributions to the community and the state: IAHA helps advance the economy of Washington and the prospects of its students by providing high-quality career training that has created opportunity for thousands of students to access family-wage jobs. A few specific examples:
• Over the past 12 months, IAHA has awarded more than $ 83,500 in scholarships, helping to make career training even more accessible to a wider range of students.
• The Arch Miller Scholarship was created providing 100 percent tuition to a special needs student to attend Northwest Culinary Institute.
• Recognizing that many students who come to the Academy have limited job search experience, IAHA created a process to help students find employment while they are attending school to help cover their living expenses and build their resume experience. Often, this assistance took the form of resume writing, interviewing, and other types of soft skills to help make them employable.
• IAHA holds monthly fundraisers to purchase food for the student food bank which supports struggling students with food
insecurity issues. Over the past 12 months, more than $ 1,000 has been raised.
What the judges said:“ Helps diverse student populations receive education … Rewards hard work and opens up global opportunities for those who work hard … Their cause is training and facilities for struggling populations, especially teen mothers … The Academy has a demonstrated history of creating opportunities … The organization is accredited and is consistently recognized as one of the finest career and technical training centers in the nation.”
Quote:“‘ But what about the students?’ is the question that guides our organizational decision making. What is best for the students is typically our course of action.”— Arch Miller, founder, International Air and Hospitality Academy
Website: www. aha. edu
other finalists for the advance award
Level 11, Seattle
Like the rockers in the film“ This is Spinal Tap,” who demonstrate an amplifier that can be turned up to 11, this high-tech company brings a“ one louder” approach to helping connect the world through the Internet of Things. The Level 11 team has doubled in size over the past year, growing from mainly software engineers to include user experience and virtual reality experts, game creators and even architects.
Wafla, Lacey
Wafla, formerly known as the Washington Farm Labor Association, is a nonprofit agricultural association that works with employers to provide a stable, reliable and productive workforce. Wafla pioneered the use of the federal H-2A legal work program in Washington. By providing administrative expertise on employment of seasonal workers, Wafla helps farmers focus more energy on their crops.
36 association of washington business