Employer Stories

David Allen
Executive Vice President, McKinstry Co.

“The Green Building Skills panel was about bringing people together, getting the truth out and inspiring leadership. The WDC will continue to be very relevant because there isn’t any other organization who can bring all these players together.”

What’s a “green job?” What skills are required? How can I get them? The WDC is leading the region in answering these questions—and in the process, developed strongpartnerships that have brought in more than $10 million to our region for green-skills training.

In 2008, the WDC convened a panel of representatives from all parts of the building industry –architecture, engineering, construction, environmental assessment, recycling and salvage—as well as members from labor, education, government and economic development. Results include new college training modules, a survey of King County’s green-building employers and educators and a career exploration video. Learn more…

 

Barbara Brennan Wu
Amtrak’s hiring manager for Washington, Oregon and Montana.

Barbara Brennan Wu is Amtrak’s hiring manager for Washington, Oregon and Montana. “By far, Washington’s program is the easiest and most accessible to work with,” she says. “I can quickly post jobs and get results right away.”

Barbara estimates that about half the people she hires come from WorkSource—about 27 people in the last year. The jobs represent a wide range of positions and skill sets.

“My favorite was the veterans job fair at WorkSource Renton,” she adds. “We had a lot of jobs to fill, especially skilled crafts such as electricians and carmen. It was fabulous because the military does a great job of training people.”