More Investment Needed for Washington's Aerospace Industry

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell is calling for more federal government investment in skills programs to help the state meet a growing need for aerospace workers.

Senator Cantwell toured G.E. Aviation in Yakima today and met with employees. The company makes airplane parts for commercial and military use.

Around 84-thousand people work for the aerospace industry in Washington state, but 21-thousand more are needed over the next ten years. Cantwell says support for schools that train workers will help meet that need.

"I met somebody today who said 'Yeah my sister worked here and I came in to try and get a job but I didn't qualify but I went back to the community college and trained and now I have a job here," says Sen. Cantwell.

There are about a half dozen aerospace companies in Yakima which employ about 500 workers. G.E. Aviation has about 300 and is looking to hire ten more workers in the coming months.

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