A partnership between Spokane manufacturer Wagstaff Inc., the Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium, and East Valley School District has landed a $200,000 grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce to improve East Valley High School’s shop facilities.

The upgraded facilities are expected to be more aligned with industry needs, accelerate progress in workforce development, and enhance the programs offered to students. Renovations for the facilities are underway.

“As we’re looking ahead for the needs of advanced manufacturing and aerospace, we really need to step it up to industry standards,” says Wade Larson, director of workforce development at Wagstaff.

Larson says this project is a direct result of the skilled-labor shortage that is impacting the entire manufacturing industry.

“We’re going to need to find ways to create an increased interest in the trades and in manufacturing,” he says.

Grant funds can go toward upgrading current facilities, but not for purchase of new equipment, Larson says.

One goal of the partnership is to make the shop facilities more inviting for interested students to get involved, he says.

“We have to shift the marketing and let them know that advanced manufacturing has some amazingly sophisticated jobs and well-paying jobs,” he says.

The grant money must be spent and the upgrades must be completed by the end of this month, Larson says. To complete the renovations in such a short span of time, 12 area high school students were recruited and paired with local professionals to help finish the job. They are receiving a stipend and firsthand work experience, the press release says.