what ’ s working
On the Road to Double Manufacturing
The fifth-annual AWB Manufacturing Week bus tour had a lofty goal this year : a unifying vision of taking Washington ’ s manufacturing sector to new heights .
Brian Mittge
After the Legislature unanimously voted to set a goal of doubling Washington ’ s manufacturing employment base and diversity over the next 10 years , AWB ’ s cross-state bus tour took on a fresh level of importance .
At A Glance
Manufacturing accounts for more than 11 % of Washington ’ s gross state product .
Manufacturing industries employ more than 298,000 people in Washington with total average compensation of $ 93,095 .
To highlight those great jobs ,
AWB ’ s Manufacturing Week bus tour visited two dozen shop floors , trade schools and other sites over six days in early October .
This was AWB ’ s fifth-annual
Manufacturing Week tour , which was created to build on Manufacturing Day , a project by the National Association of
Manufacturers to encourage builders and makers to open their shopfloors to young people the first Friday of every October .
www . MFGisWA . org
Manufacturing changes lives for the better . The proof was close at hand at every stop on AWB ’ s 2021 Manufacturing Week bus tour , the fifth time AWB has crossed the state to tell the stories of Washington ’ s vibrant manufacturing sector .
Jim Herrera is a welder-fabricator for SAFE Boats International , which makes aluminum boats in Bremerton and ships them to coast guards , military units , sheriff ’ s patrols , and firefighting crews around the world . Herrera , who just celebrated his 16th anniversary at the company , said his manufacturing job is a lot better than the cold , dirty work he did maintaining fishing boats in Alaska .
“ I take pride in my work . I really like what I do ,” Herrera said . “ We build a tough boat . The company takes care of me .”
The tour also highlighted how manufacturing is improving our world through environmental advancements and purposeful investments to help those in need .
16 association of washington business