Washington Business Winter 2020 | Washington Business | Page 28

what’s working
Achieve Award
The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) works every
day to create our state’s future workforce. Many skilled workers are
retiring, and finding replacements can be a challenge.
AJAC was founded in 2008 to help close the skills gap in aerospace and
advanced manufacturing. It provides registered apprenticeship training
to people pursuing high-demand occupations like machinist, industrial
maintenance mechanic and tool and die maker. Apprenticeships offer paid,
on-the-job training with related classroom instruction. AJAC has served 1,333
apprentices at 293 companies since 2008. The organization also supports a
youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program.
AJAC is critical to support the highly-skilled workforce needed to power
Washington’s strong manufacturing sector.
Connect Award
Delta Air Lines helps Washington stay connected.
The company’s mission is to serve as a global network connecting people,
places, businesses and communities. Delta has complemented Washington’s
population growth and skyrocketing demand for travel in recent years by
connecting passengers to more destinations via Seattle.
Delta currently serves 60 destinations from Washington, and has added 28
since 2014. The number of flights has increased by 129%, and the number of
seats is up 101% during peak travel days. The company is also continuously
investing in new aircraft to enhance passenger experience.
Advance Award
Emerson Salon is a small business with a big voice.
The salon is a community of independent hair designers located in Seattle’s
Capitol Hill neighborhood. As a commercial landlord, Emerson provides small
business owners an opportunity to rent a chair and equipment, and helps them
maintain profitability in a growing city. Emerson also supports community
organizations and offers business coaching to commercial tenants.
The company’s small business advocacy work made headlines and
new connections all across Washington in the 2019 legislative session.
Emerson’s D’Arcy Harrison helped organize thousands of cosmetologists
and small business owners in opposition to several bills that were harmful
to their industry.
Some bills would have changed the definition of independent contracting,
and impacted flexible schedules. Many independent contractors value these
flexible schedules to care for children, elderly relatives and other family
members that rely on them. The work of Harrison and other salon owners was
critical to bring a new voice to this debate, and ultimately defeat the bills.
AWB also recognized Washington’s outstanding manufacturers at the event.
The awards were previously announced during AWB’s Manufacturing Week
bus tour in October.
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