Maria Cantwell: “I have joined with the Senator to address the shortage of capacity in our community and technical colleges as they…”

“I have joined with the Senator to address the shortage of capacity in our community and technical colleges as they attempt to meet the increasing demand for job training during this period of high unemployment. My State in recent months has consistently ranked among the three highest unemployment states in the nation. It seems almost every week across Washington, we have seen more layoffs, including a large number related to the aviation manufacturing industry. Washington State has some of the most innovative programs in the country to provide displaced and incumbent workers with the training they need to find and keep good jobs. Unfortunately, as unemployment has gone up, training programs have had to turn people away, since there's not enough financial assistance available. In March, my office issued a report that documented this shortfall of capacity to deliver job training in our State. That report showed that while there were approximately 115,000 dislocated workers in Washington State in January, and an estimated 38,000 of those seeking job training services, our institutions would only be able to accommodate approximately 12,500 of those individuals. All of these Washingtonians want new skills, and they should have the opportunity to achieve those goals through the hard work and determination required to complete additional job-training courses.”