| GDP, the civilian labor force participation rate, per capita personal income and more.
Looking up?: “Economic growth seems to have reached a lull at the start of the second quarter of 2024,” Raha wrote. “It still remains to be seen if this is “the pause that refreshes” or the start of a downturn.” |
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Drought emergency declared for most of Washington
Warm and dry: Beautiful spring weather is great for getting outdoors, but the sunny, cloudless skies plus a mediocre snowpack have led forecasters to declare a drought emergency for Washington. Seattle, Tacoma and Everett, which have large reservoirs and active water management strategies, are excluded from the emergency declaration.
The situation: The Department of Ecology said the April 14 drought declaration is essentially a continuation of the state’s 2023 drought after a relatively dry winter. Current statewide snowpack is 63% of normal with other places even less. The Olympic basin is at 61% of normal, the north Puget Sound region and the North Cascades are at 57% of normal and the lower Yakima is at 46% of normal snowpack.
- “That's really concerning, because that means that water that's held in that snowpack either has already melted out to the ocean, or will be melting out a lot earlier,” said Caroline Mellor, statewide drought lead with the Department of Ecology. “We are already seeing lower-than-normal streamflow conditions, as well as a clear forecast for continued or worsening streamflow conditions for April to September."
Impacts: water systems in Clallam County and Whatcom County are now trucking in water to meet demand, KUOW reports. The Department of Ecology anticipates that water may need to be trucked into the Olympic Peninsula this summer. |
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WSU President Kirk Schulz announces his retirement
Stepping down: The 11th president of Washington State University, Kirk Schulz, announced last week that he will retire in June of 2025 after eight years as the top Cougar.
Accomplishments: Since his tenure began in 2016, WSU received full accreditation for the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine in 2021 and launched eastern Washington’s first pediatric residency in 2023. He has also been part of AWB’s Manufacturing Week tour and ongoing workforce development efforts.
- “Kirk and WSU have been important partners in our effort to strengthen the ties between higher education and Washington’s employer community, to bridge the skills gap, and to help employers connect with young people in search of work-based learning opportunities in communities throughout Washington,” AWB President Kris Johnson said.
The university’s Board of Regents has established a presidential search advisory committee to conduct a national recruitment for a replacement. The Spokesman-Review covered the story. |
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Report: WA's educational attainment levels falling short of employer demand
Need for educated workers: A new report from the Washington Student Achievement Council shows that jobs requiring credentials beyond high school are on the rise. The report estimates that 70% of jobs in 2023 and 72% in 2031 will require college degrees or other post-secondary credentials.
- The report was in collaboration with the AWB Institute, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.
Shifting economy: Jobs requiring a bachelor's degree will grow the fastest at 12.1%, while jobs requiring some college or a postsecondary certificate will grow by 10.4%, according to the report. Jobs requiring a high-school diploma are projected to grow by 9.4%.
- "This is a structural shift in the economy, stemming from technological innovations, that results in increased relative demand for educated and skilled labor," Daryl Monear, the report's head author, told the Washington State Standard.
- At the bachelor's degree level, the highest demand careers were nurses, software developers and general managers; at the associate's degree level, it was truck drivers, accounting clerks and K-12 teaching assistants.
Survey data: The report tracks with data from AWB's quarterly employer surveys. In the fall 2023 survey, a lack of qualified workers for job openings was the second top problem, with 53% listing it as a major problem. |
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Exploring AI for your business: expert panel at Spring Meeting in Vancouver
New ideas: At AWB's Spring Meeting on May 8, industry leaders will share their perspective on how businesses can use artificial intelligence, among other timely and important topics. The newly expanded AI for business panel features:
- Dr. Arun Mathews, regional chief medical officer at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center (new)
- Kelly Fukai (moderator), VP of government and community affairs, Washington Technology Industry Association
- Keith McCall, founder and CEO, Pollen Systems Corporation
- Michael Senske, president and CEO of Pearson Packaging Systems
One day left to get a room: The last AWB hotel room block, at the Indigo, closes Tuesday, so book your hotel room now. The day’s events would also be a great fit for people who live within an easy drive of Vancouver.
Join us for the evening: Dinner-only tickets are also now available for the Spring Meeting evening keynote, a bipartisan discussion with two D.C. insiders and CNN commentators on the upcoming 2024 presidential and national elections:
- Kate Bedingfield recently served two years as White House communications director under President Biden. Prior to that, she served as deputy campaign manager and communications director on the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign.
- David Urban was a former chief of staff to former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. Urban was appointed by former President Donald Trump to serve as the 11th Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission and to the Board of Visitors (Trustees) for the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Full schedule: We will also have a bipartisan discussion on civic health, plus insights from business leaders on Vancouver's renaissance, CEO leadership strategies, and more. As usual, AWB's Government Affairs Team will discuss the biggest bills in the 2024 legislative session. See a full agenda here.
Register now: Buy your Spring Meeting tickets now before prices increase on May 1. |
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FEDERAL ISSUES
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Tacoma, Spokane chambers honor Kilmer, McMorris Rodgers in D.C.
It was a busy week in the Washington, D.C., for Washington employers. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce and Greater Spokane Incorporated both visited the nation’s capital on their annual fly-ins. AWB President Kris Johnson joined the two groups over the week as they talked about infrastructure, workforce and many other topics with members of Congress, international trading partners and other employer advocates.
The chambers held events honoring U.S. Reps. Derek Kilmer and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who both have announced their retirements from Congress after many years of service. A bipartisan group of lawmakers spoke at the reception for Kilmer, including U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell.
GSI unveiled a new award to honor McMorris Rodgers. The inaugural Rich Hadley Memorial Community Advocate Award is named in honor of the “extraordinary vision, impeccable teamwork, and maximal impact” of Hadley, who died in 2023. |
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OTHER NEWS
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WSU pediatric residency welcomes first cohort of doctors
Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine's new pediatric residency program is welcoming its first cohort of doctors. Six doctors will join the Spokane medical community this summer as pediatricians in training.
The program -- the first of its kind east of the Cascades -- is in partnership with Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. "The purpose of the program is to build really good general pediatricians and to improve the care of children in the Inland Northwest," said Program Director Christian Rocholl. |
Job Skills grant open for applications through May 2
Grant applications are due May 2 for the state's Job Skills Program, which provides dollar-for-dollar matching funds for employee training and retraining. Employers work with an educational institution to train new employees or upgrade skills of current employees.
Since 1983, more than 1,000 employers and 75,000 employees have taken advantage of the program. Find more information on the grant and application deadlines here. |
Small Business Day set for May 1
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will kick off Small Business Month on May 1 with a live and livestreamed event in Washington, D.C. Business experts and entrepreneurs will offer insights and news-you-can-use tips on today’s important topics for small business, including:
- Ways to cut costs with AI,
- Marketing tactics used by big brands that can be adapted to small business.
- Growth strategies and more.
Learn more and register for Small Business Day here. |
Thurston County chamber celebrates 150 years
The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1874, celebrates its 150th birthday this year.
The chamber will reflect on 150 years of milestones with two upcoming events: the chamber's annual meeting on May 8, and a community celebration on July 11 at the Olympia Port Plaza. |
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AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
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Learn about new 401(k) plan option in free webinar on May 15
New retirement plan: Pooled employer plans (PEPs) are now available through AWB’s MyFuture401k program. This type of retirement plan can help streamline administration and reduce costs for employers.
- According to Plansponsor.com, 9 out of 10 job seekers say a 401(k) plan is a must have benefit, and according to Voya, 70% of employees are more likely to remain with a company that offers a retirement plan.
Learn more: AWB, in partnership with Ascensus and Integrity Financial, will hold a free, no-obligation webinar at 1 p.m. on May 15. The webinar will break down the basics of PEPs and how they simplify the complexity and administration of traditional 401(k) plans.
Register now: Register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar. |
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Help us celebrate Washington's best employers; nominations open through June 30
It's that time again: Nominations are open for AWB's annual awards program, which recognizes employers for innovation and taking care of employees and their communities. We are accepting nominations through June 30. Employers are also encouraged to submit self-nominations.
The 2024 award categories include:
Washington Excellence Awards
Manufacturing Excellence Awards
Who is eligible: The Washington Excellence Awards and Manufacturing Excellence Awards are open to any Washington state company of any size in any industry sector.
- All finalists will be invited to take part in a red-carpet awards gala Nov. 21 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle.
How it works: After the nomination deadline, nominated companies will be invited to submit supporting documentation. A panel of judges will review the submissions, determine the top three nominees, and select the winning company in each category. Winners will be announced at AWB's Evening of Excellence gala this fall.
Become a bus tour stop: AWB features the Manufacturing Excellence Award finalists on our annual Manufacturing Week Bus Tour in October. Nominating your business is the best way to get your shop floor considered for the tour.
Click here for the nomination form. |
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Find quality internship candidates with WA Workforce Portal
Free resource: Internship season is coming up soon. Find your ideal internship candidate with the Washington Workforce Portal, a free platform that pairs Washington businesses offering internships, apprenticeships, and mentorships with high-school and college students seeking real-world work experience.
Making a match: Employers can post internship opportunities and students can post profiles with information on the type of internship they're seeking.
- "It was seamless, it was easy, it was free," said Michelle Wynne, human resources business partner at LifePort. "I was able to search any type of intern in any type of specialty and what their major was. I found quality candidates for our business."
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Learn best practices in evaluation, discipline and termination
Next webinar: AWB's HR & Employment Webinar Series continues on May 1 with an informative session titled "Navigating Performance Management: Best Practices in Evaluation, Discipline, and Termination."
- The 90-minute course will cover legislative updates, effective evaluation strategies with a focus on continuous improvements, disciplinary action dos and don'ts, and termination considerations.
Get credit: Upon request, attendees can obtain continuing education credits through SHRM or HRCI.
Purchase options: Register for the single webinar here or purchase the on-demand combo, which includes all six webinar recordings, instructor slides, and a wrap-up package that will include all webinar materials, extra information, and sample documents.
Upcoming webinars: Webinars will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesdays through July, and include:
- May 1: Navigating Performance Management: Best Practices in Evaluation, Discipline, and Termination
- June 5: Ensuring Workplace Safety: Navigating Accident Prevention & Investigation Plans
- July 10: Safeguarding Your Business: Navigating Non-Competes, Confidentiality Agreements, Non-Solicitations, and Intellectual Property Protection
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AWB HealthChoice now available to companies in Clark County
New health benefit option: Clark County businesses and their employees and families now have access to high-quality, affordable health benefits through AWB HealthChoice. LifeWise Health Plan of Washington has teamed up with HealthChoice to provide coverage to Clark County companies.
Statewide coverage: Up until now, AWB HealthChoice plans were not available in Clark County. But now, coverage is truly statewide with LifeWise Health Plan of Washington.
Who can participate: Plans are available for companies with two or more employees in the following industries: manufacturing, agriculture, communications, construction, hospitality, professional services, transportation, technology and retail/wholesale. Coverage is available for a March 1, 2024 effective date.
Get your free quote: For more information and a quote, please contact your insurance producer or Helen Siggins at ProPoint: helens@propointservices.com. |
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THEY SAID IT
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| “We have greatly valued the opportunity to collaborate with President Schulz on many of the pressing workforce issues facing employers today.” ~ AWB President Kris Johnson, on the news that WSU President Kirk Schulz will retire in 2025 after eight years leading the university system. |
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