Senator Murray In Yakima To Talk Jobs

Yakima will get a visit from Senator Patty Murray on Monday. Murray will tour the GE Aviation Building in Yakima and discuss efforts to give local workers the skills needed to fill local jobs. In particular, Murray will discuss the Workforce Investment Act that she is fighting hard to pass and is critical to retraining workers, including those who have recently been laid off. She will also talk about her career pathways legislation that would help young people in high school get skills training, as well as other efforts to get workers the skills and training they need to move into 21st century jobs.

According to a report released by the Washington State Employment Security Department, statewide job openings were up 31% last fall compared to a year earlier and there are an estimated 41,889 vacant positions. According to the same report, an estimated 960 open jobs are located in the Yakima County area. However, often employers can’t find local workers with the skills needed to fill those jobs - something Senator Murray is working to remedy.

The GE Aviation tour will provide a first-hand look at GE’s manufacturing operation and highlight some of the skills and experience that potential workers need for local jobs.