In communities across Washington, young people are asking, “What’s next for me?” Meanwhile, employers are asking, “Where’s the next generation of talent?”

Over the next five years alone, more than 1 million Washington residents will be 65 or older. That demographic shift will significantly shrink the available workforce as more people than ever retire, leaving many employers struggling to fill vacancies with qualified workers. Not only is it getting more expensive to recruit and train new employees, but fewer young people are entering the workforce with the right skills and qualifications to take on those jobs.

The workforce shortage is one of the many issues addressed by Washington in the Making 2040. It’s a comprehensive long-term plan, launched through a partnership between the Association of Washington Business Institute and the Washington Roundtable, that outlines a vibrant economic future for our state — and it’s a vision shaped by the priorities and concerns of the people who live and work here.

The Washington in the Making plan envisions our state’s workforce as the best prepared and trained in the nation. It’s going to take some creative solutions and approaches, especially with the retirement boom upon us.

Confronting the talent shortage

The workforce shortage will impact every sector in Washington, though a recent study by the Retirement Income Institute shows that health care, manufacturing and utilities are among the industries hit hardest.

Our state’s workforce hasn’t kept pace with the postsecondary credentials that these jobs require. The Washington Roundtable’s “Skill Up for Our Future” report estimates Washington will face a shortage of 600,000 credentialed workers over the next decade if we don’t improve our postsecondary credential attainment.

In Washington, the largest credential gap is for bachelor’s degrees and higher, and those education levels are directly tied to better pay and advancement opportunities. But the shortage also impacts employers seeking workers with associate degrees, technical certifications and hands-on apprenticeship experience.

We can’t simply wait for the next generation of workers to catch up. Our state’s businesses must play a role in removing barriers to training and education — and that starts with helping more young people explore and learn about industries and careers that not only pay well but drive Washington’s economy.

Connecting students to careers

Washington in the Making supports a bold but achievable target: 70% of all Washington students earn a postsecondary credential by age 26. That includes college degrees, but also professional certifications, licenses, apprenticeships and technical training, all of which are critical to closing the talent gap.

Work-based learning experiences are among the most effective tools to reach that goal. The plan envisions 75% of the state’s employers offering work-based experiences like internships, job shadows and other industry exposure.

To keep pace with future demand, we need to scale those efforts.

That’s why Washington in the Making calls for 10,000 new work-based learning opportunities each year for high school students in every community across our state. Meeting that goal will require not just more programs but reforms that remove regulatory barriers and make it easier for employers to offer these learning experiences.

There are local organizations already contributing to this goal. Greater Spokane, Inc., hosts an ongoing program called Business AfterSchool, which connects students in grades 6-12 with hands-on, career-oriented learning opportunities at local businesses. GSI offers numerous sessions throughout the school year, with skills workshops focused on fields like health science and engineering.

The solutions and approaches outlined in Washington in the Making imagine a future where every student in Washington has the opportunity to learn about an industry up close. Imagine if every employer in our state saw itself not just as a seeker of talent but as a developer of talent. Imagine if every business in Washington provided even one or two of those experiences, and how many trajectories and lives that might change.

Those work-based learning experiences are one step toward the world-class workforce Washington could develop.

See the progress and get involved

Meeting the goals outlined in Washington in the Making 2040 is going to take efforts from educators, employers and community leaders throughout the state. AWBI is helping lead those efforts by tracking our state’s progress through the Vitals, an interactive dashboard of real-time economic indicators, and by connecting employers and students through its interactive Workforce Portal.

Visit WA2040.org to explore the plan, track our shared progress, and find out how your business or organization can help shape the workforce Washington needs.

The tools are in place. The vision is clear. The time to act is now. Let’s work together to build a future where every Washingtonian has the opportunity to thrive — and every employer has the talent they need to succeed.