High school seniors and new graduates from across Washington state were honored today at STEM Signing Day, an event hosted by Boeing and held in partnership with the Seattle Seahawks and Partnership for Learning. Modeled after college signing days for athletes, the annual celebration recognizes students committed to pursuing postsecondary education and credentials in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).
REPORT: Washington’s advanced computing and technology sector is growing fast—already making up 21.8% of the state’s GDP, the highest in the country. Over the next decade, demand for software developers, computer support specialists, and systems analysts will surge, with 128,000 job openings expected by 2032. Despite this demand, there’s a critical skills gap: 84% of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the state is on track to produce 35,000 fewer qualified workers than needed.
REPORT: Recent postsecondary enrollment trends reveal the challenge of meeting projected demand for workers with degrees, apprenticeships, and high-value industry certifications. After years of stagnation, enrollment at Washington’s colleges and universities plummeted during the pandemic. Community and technical colleges (CTCs) lost over 53,000 students—a 24% decline—from fall 2019 and fall 2022, while public baccalaureate institutions lost 10,000 resident undergraduates (an 11% drop).
REPORT: Washington Roundtable, Partnership for Learning, and Kinetic West released a new report, Skill Up for Our Future, taking a deep dive into what Washington’s economy will look like through 2032 and where the opportunities and challenges lie for our workforce.
Spotlight: Fred Hutch’s LabLaunch program is redefining career preparation in the life sciences. This partnership between Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Washington Alliance for Better Schools, and Shoreline Community College equips students with the skills needed for high-demand lab technician roles. The program combines hands-on lab experience with academic training, ensuring students are job-ready and offering them a guaranteed interview at Fred Hutch upon program completion.
We are excited to take a leadership role with the Career Connect Washington initiative (CCW), working alongside partners from Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), Washington STEM, and the Employment Security Department. As part of this new public-private leadership group, we are committed to supporting education-to-career pathways that equip today’s students to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce.
High school seniors from across Washington state received honors from Boeing, Partnership for Learning, and Tallo during a Washington State STEM Signing Day event in Seattle, on June 4. The event recognized students committed to pursuing science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) after high school.
Partnership for Learning caught up with STEM Signing Day 2021 honoree Ishaan Ganguly and found out his latest updates.