Back to Manufacturing Project Outcomes
Air Washington received a $20,000,000 Round One TAACCCT award to meet Washington State’s growing workforce demands identified by employer partners in the aerospace industry sectors of advanced manufacturing/machining, aircraft assembly, aircraft maintenance, composites, and electronics.
Many students say the program changed their chances in life, and Boeing and other aerospace companies have praised the program.
“I never thought somebody with schooling in pastoral theology would ever wind up in a machine shop,” said Stratton, with a laugh. “But really, I am so happy with where I’m at right now.”
“It’s kind of a strange feeling, to not have the financial problems constantly looming over you. I don’t know how many people I have told, ‘Hey, find a way. Go back to school, get some kind of education. You can still do better. Don’t settle. Don’t wait as long as I did.” — Levi
“I went from working at a minimum-wage fast-food job to working in aerospace production,” said Stoutimore.
Defining Features of Project:
- The project addressed an urgent economic need specific to its state: Training a skilled aerospace workforce.
- It included the aerospace industry as a partner from the beginning.
- It complemented the state government’s similar efforts, which would help sustain the program after the grant expired.
| Project and Outcome Report | |
|---|---|
| Project | Air Washington |
| Project Website | Air Washington Website |
| Project Director Interview | Carol Weigand Air Washington Project Director |
| Institution | Spokane Community College |
| Outcome Report | Air Washington Project Outcome Report |
| Industry Sector | Manufacturing |
| Grant Completed | 9/30/15 |
| Grant Amount | $20,000,000 |
| State Profile Report | Washington State Profile Report |
| Participation Metrics | |
|---|---|
| Participation | 4,722 participants |
| Short-certificates earned (1 year or less) | 3,977 students |
| Long certificates earned (1 year or more) | 786 students |
| Two-year degrees earned | 356 students |
| Employment* | 1,605 employed after completion |
*= As of the time of the Final Evaluation Report
Source: Grantee’s Third-Party Evaluation