West Sound Tech construction to continue with new funding
One of Washington’s largest skill-building centers saw a massive funding increase this legislative session, and many Kitsap students will be the beneficiaries of it.
The state legislature has passed a $42 million bill to continue construction on the West Sound Technical Skills Center in Bremerton, a training hub for the skilled trades in 10 different school districts throughout the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas.
“This is a huge win for students and the community at large,” Sen. Deb Krishnadasan (D-Kitsap) said. “I’ve been an advocate for career technical education since my time as a school board member. The facility’s completion will expand opportunities and create pathways for students wanting to pursue a trades career, which can lead to living-wage jobs right out of high school. This program also addresses the urgent workforce needs in so many of our local industries.”
The updates are part of an effort to modernize the school, which was built in 1977. The funding will help expand the facilities to include a 50,000 square foot, two-story building with professional classrooms and training areas. Once completed, the school will offer free training to up to 1,000 high school students from Bremerton, Central Kitsap, Chimacum, North Kitsap, North Mason, Peninsula, Quilcene, Bainbridge Island, South Kitsap, and Port Townsend school districts.
“This funding means that our students are receiving the best possible education and learning in environments that reflect the real working world,” WST director Ryan Nickels said. “The students we serve will be better prepared for the future and more competitive after graduation.”
Labor shortages in blue- and pink-collar lines of work like childcare, hospitality, healthcare, construction and manufacturing have been steadily growing in the last 30 years. Part of the issue is that existing workers are aging out of their profession faster than younger skilled tradespeople begin their careers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.
At the same time, growth in both housing, infrastructure and other sectors is placing increasing demand on the skilled trades, but not exerting equal force in every place. Washington falls among the least severe labor shortage in the nation, with about 77 skilled workers available for every 100 jobs, per data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
