Our Blog
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This Day In Aviation History
(General Dynamics/San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives) On this day in 1961, the crew of The Firefly, a Convair B-58 Hustler, won the Bleriot Trophy when they flew over 2,000 kilometers an hour for 30 minutes. Established in 1930 by aviation pioneer Louis Charles Joseph Bleriot, the trophy was awarded to the crew of…
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Securing the Supply Chain Summit 2023: Building Pathways for Success
Join Washington State’s Centers of Excellence June 6th and 7th at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington as we build pathways for success by securing infrastructure, supply chain and energy systems. For the first time in our lifetimes, supply chains are front and center in the public’s consciousness, and they must be resilient while still…
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Join Us at ANEW’s Diversity & Inclusion Summit
Join Center of Excellence staff and industry and workforce leaders across the region for the 7th annual Diversity & Inclusion Summit in person at the DoubleTree SeaTac on May 11th. As our industries continue to focus on culture, it is critical to discuss pathways to leadership for women and people of color, targeted recruitment and…
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Today is Drone Safety Day
Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. Did you know drones are the fastest-growing segment of aviation in the United States? As of January, there are over 871,000 drones registered with the FAA, and over 307,000 certified Remote Pilots. These numbers are projected…
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U.S. Department of Energy Announces New Industrial Assessment Centers Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to establish Industrial Assessment Centers at trade schools, community colleges, and union training programs. How does DOE define Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs)? They’re meant to create “opportunities for more American students and workers to step into high-quality career pathways that empower workers and develop a diverse, nationally-representative workforce…
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Holy Lamb Organics Tour & Photos
As part of this week’s Energy, Manufacturing & Transportation retreat sponsored by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges Climate Solutions Program, attendees toured Holy Lamb Organics, a small manufacturer located in Oakville, WA, outside of Olympia. Sustainability is embedded in everything Holy Lamb Organics makes, and its values show in what they produce.…
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COE Survey: Manufacturers, Hiring and Drug Testing
With drug laws changing across the country, Center of Excellence staff surveyed the current state of hiring language regarding drug use, reviewing job listings from 50 Washington employers. We found that of the 50 employers surveyed, 15 included explicit language regarding drug-free workplaces and drug testing. Others may drug test but not state that in…
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AMTEC Staff Host Manufacturing Day
Staff at AMTEC, Everett Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training & Education Center, opened their doors today to high school students across the area to tour manufacturing programs, meet employers, and enjoy a complimentary lunch sponsored by Impact Washington. Students from Everett School District, pictured, were the first to tour the site, seeing classrooms and labs…
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COE Interview: Justin Ellixson-Andrews, Executive Director of the National Gay Pilots Association
Last week Center of Excellence Executive Director Jason Petrait had the pleasure of sitting down with Justin Ellixson-Andrews, Executive Director of the National Gay Pilots Association. Justin and Jason talked through what the NGPA does, what Justin’s goals are in his new role, and why advocacy matters now more than ever. Read on: Jason Petrait:…
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Expanding Supplier Diversity in Aerospace Conference
Presented by PNDC and AFA, the day highlighted Boeing’s commitment to expanded supplier diversity and working with their supply chain. “It’s hard to turn a production system off,” said conference keynote speaker Teresa Olympio, VP of Boeing Commercial Aviation Supply Chain Readiness. “It’s even harder to turn it back on.” Olympio kicked off today’s Expanding…
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A Closer Look at SB 5269
Senate Bill 5269, an act meant to transform and grow Washington state manufacturing, went before the House Committee on Appropriations last Tuesday and passed in the House this past Thursday. With the bill headed to the Governor’s desk for signature, it is due for a deeper look. The bill directs Washington’s Department of Commerce to…
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What We’re Reading
Sustainable Aviation Fuel facility planned for Snohomish County The proposed Paine Field facility would be a repository for sustainable aviation fuel samples from around the world, allowing researchers to store, share and test them. ‘Redmond Space District’ celebrates the Northwest’s hotspot for satellite industry “We want to make sure that we have that flag in…