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The award-winning Eastern Washington Agriculture and Food Processing Partnership helped to transform a traditional labor market into an industry prepared for the future. This innovative public/private partnership was created to meet the needs of employers to upgrade the skills of incumbent workers in two of Washington's largest and most labor-intensive industries-food processing and farming.

Six state agencies, organized labor, four Workforce Development Councils, five Eastern Washington community colleges, the U.S. Department of Labor, Community Based Organizations, training providers, and many employers worked together to find solutions to closing a widening skill gap problem. Federal and state agencies contributed nearly $1.3 million and extensive expertise to the project. Participating employers responded positively by contributing $1.5 in industry match.

The Northwest Food Processors Association and the Washington Growers League guided the partnership by identifying jobs common to both industries and by setting skill standards associated with these jobs. An existing labor-management committee provided leadership and project oversight. The South Central Workforce Council provided administrative guidance.

This customer-driven sector initiative has shown tremendous results.

• Created 26 customized training courses offering certification and opportunities for specific career advancement.
• Delivered training events for more than 32 companies at 70 work sites.
• Exceeded Governor Gary Locke's goal of training 400 employees by more than 75 percent, ultimately providing 785 training opportunities for current workers.
• Achieved trainee wage increases due to increased productivity. Workers earned an additional $300 to $600 over a 4-month period following training.