Workforce
Development & Education
Demographics
Traditional dependence on Clallam County's natural resources has developed a hard working, productive work force, and its attractive range of lifestyles means workers tend to remain in the region.
Barely a hundred years after the frontier era, the same initiative and drive can be seen in workers only two or three generations removed from local pioneers. As a result, employers here enjoy an extremely stable and productive work force.
- Across Clallam County, cities have made a name for themselves because of what they have to offer. Sequim continues its reign as the retirement retreat of the region, while Port Angeles and Forks host a variety of innovative industrial water (Marine) and wood (Forest Resources) companies. Technological advances, education and research firms fuel these companies.
- Residents of the state of Washington are well educated and highly skilled. A relatively rapidly growing population provides highly-productive a labor pool that is eager to work. Washington State's population growth rate is forecast to be 4 percent greater than the national average through the turn of the century.
- In-migration of new residents to Washington State is an important component of the state's population growth - and has been for more than a century. Washington's natural ability to attract new residents will account for two-thirds of the state's population increase through the year 2010.
- In 2006, Clallam Countys' population between the ages of 24-54 was estimated at over 24,000, with another 3,200+ in the 21-24 age range.
- 22.7% of the county's population is estimated to be over 65 years of age, compared with 11.5% state-wide and 22.8% in neighboring Jefferson County.
- The median age in Clallam Countyis 46.
Washington State has one of the most highly educated and trained populations in the nation.
- More than 85% of county residents 25 years and older have graduated from high school or attended at least one year of college. More than 28 percent of the state's population have a minimum of two years of university education, which is significantly greater than the national average of approximately 19 percent, while 20.7 percent have completed four or more years of university education.
- While education is measured, skill development is not. The state, however, is working to inter-connect these two elements within its education and training programs.
Availability
- The 2006, the annual average resident civilian labor force in Clallam County was 29,500 with a 5.6% unemployment rate.
- Sampling of statewide annual average unemployment for 2003: Clallam County: 7.5%; Cowlitz County, 10.3%; Yakima MSA, 10.6%; Bellingham MSA, 6.1%; Spokane MSA, 6.8%; Lewis County 9%; Skagit County, 7.7%.
- Wages for Washington workers remain very competitive. In 1980, average personal income was 7.2 percent above the national average. In 1996, annual per capita personal income for Washington State was $25,277 compared to $24,436 nationally. Employment opportunities in the state attract out-of-state workers, which tends to hold down wage increases, while assuring a plentiful labor supply.
- Washington State is not a "right-to-work" state, however, organized labor membership has dropped significantly over the past 30 years. In 1970, the proportion of union workers in the labor force was 30 percent. In 1980, it decreased to 25 percent and is approximately 20 percent today.
Clallam County has a highly skilled work force. Although several years ago work force availability was extremely high due to the March 1997 closure of the Rayonier sulfite pulp mill in Port Angeles, 2005 county unemployment rates have dipped to 6.1%.
- Peninsula College and area manufacturing firms contribute to a competent skilled production work force.
- The high quality of life and myriad of recreational opportunities also draw top-notch talent from throughout the country.
- The Job Skills Program (JSP) develops customized training programs for employers in cooperation with Peninsula College located in Port Angeles. JSP also funds college instructors and trainee supplies. Depending upon the scale and scope of the program, up to $50,000 can be provided to fund training.
- In response to dramatic changes in the structure of Washington's economy - layoff of thousands of workers in major industries, and the long-term need for training programs for Washington citizens, the legislature enacted the Workforce Employment and Training Act in 1993.
- As a result of this legislation, colleges created Worker Retraining programs that have served nearly 40,000 unemployed and dislocated workers in Washington. This law has significantly expanded the training available to thousands of jobless workers who have needed to change careers in order to re-enter the workforce. Worker retraining pays tuition, books, fees, transportation, childcare, subsistence and campus-job wages for individuals who lost their jobs due to a big economic change, and for those receiving Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.
- Washington's community and technical colleges, as well as licensed private schools, received worker retraining funding to improve programs preparing people for work. Based on input from local employers, government and community, these funds are used to update equipment, revise curriculum and develop work experience opportunities. Colleges also hire staff to advise worker retraining students and coordinate worker retraining programs.
Resource Links
- Worksource Washington
- Office of Financial Management
- Forecast Council
- Employment Securities
- DOL: License Info Management System
- Employers Services
- Department of Revenue
Job Links
- Peninsula Daily News (Classifieds)
- Olympic Medical Center
- Peninsula College
- Clallam PUD #1
- Clallam County
- City of Port Angeles
- City of Sequim
- Worksource
Detailed information
- TBA
