Closing the Gap: Strategic Initiatives Address Area Workforce Challenges

Cultivating a highly qualified and skilled workforce is key to the vitality of our local economy. It’s why the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) remains committed to addressing the area’s biggest workforce challenges.

In response to concerns voiced by our business community, EDASC has continued addressing workforce barriers such as access to childcare, access to skilled workers, building pipelines, workforce housing, and more.

To complement these existing initiatives, we also launched two supportive programs to help close the gap between businesses and job seekers.

The Skagit Job Board

For the past few years, area employers have been experiencing difficulties filling job openings. As more of the Baby Boomer generation retired, it left gaps in our area’s skilled workforce pipeline, especially in manufacturing and trades.  

In response, EDASC launched the Skagit Job Board in 2022, which has morphed into one of our most popular Investor perks, allowing businesses to publish unlimited job openings at zero cost.

Since its inception, the Skagit Job Board has been at near capacity, averaging around 1,000 total listings from 100 employers at any time.

It’s been so successful that EDASC has been exploring various ways to make this service available to even more segments of our business community.

Job Fairs

In partnership with WorkSource and SHRM Skagit-Island, EDASC also kicked off its Northwest Regional Job Fairs, connecting businesses from Skagit, Whatcom Island, and San Juan counties with job seekers. 

Even better? Attendance is always free, and events are usually held in the evening for easier access!

These job fairs typically see over 30 area businesses in attendance. During the most recent event, held in April, EDASC saw near-record job seeker attendance while businesses reported strong engagement.

Developing Leaders Today to Shape Our Tomorrow

Cultivating leaders from within an organization's workforce is a valuable way to retain employees. One way to develop leaders is through the Leadership Skagit program.

Created in partnership with Skagit Valley College, the nine-month-long program has graduated over 600 alumni since its inception in 2004, inspiring professionals at every level of their career to deepen their knowledge of important county-wide strengths and needs and deepening their connections in a variety of sectors.

“It provided me with deeper insights into the region’s challenges and opportunities while fostering strong connections with a network of dedicated leaders,” said Jason Wells, a commissioner for the Anacortes Housing Authority. “Professionally, it has enhanced my ability to collaborate across sectors, and personally, it has reinforced my commitment to driving meaningful community impact, particularly in areas like housing and economic development.”

Ongoing Education

We encourage our skilled workforce to deepen their skill set and further their careers by accessing ongoing education and development programs offered by top-tier colleges, universities, and leading research institutions in the area, including:

• Western Washington University
• University of Washington
• University of Washington | Bothell
• Washington State University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Victoria
• Simon Fraser University
• Skagit Valley College

Whether you’re a business that needs help addressing the unique workforce development challenges you face or are a job seeker looking for employment opportunities, contact the EDASC today!