SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane-area trade companies are addressing a workforce shortage by introducing young people to skilled careers.
At NewTech Skills Center’s Trades Night, construction, welding, and painting companies let attendees operate heavy machinery like rollers and excavators. The event tackles a real problem: 48% of recent college graduates feel unprepared for entry-level jobs.
“The goal is to show them what a career in the trades could look like,” said Dustin Smith, Director of Operations at Divcon. “Give them a little bit of experience, so maybe they have a little bit of courage to step out and give it a shot.”…