Outdoor-Industry Jobs a Ground Level Look at Opportunities in the Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors
Outdoor-Industry Jobs A Ground Level Look at Opportunities in the Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors Written by: Dave Wallace, Research Director, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board Chris Dula, Research Investigator, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board Randy Smith, IT and Research Specialist, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board Alan Hardcastle, Senior Research Manager, WSU Energy Program, Washington State University James Richard McCall, Research Assistant, Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC), Washington State University Thom Allen, Project Manager, Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC), Washington State University Executive Summary Washington’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) was tasked by the Legislature to conduct a comprehensive study1 centered on outdoor and field-based employment2 in Washington, which includes a wide range of jobs in the environment, agriculture, natural resources, and outdoor recreation sectors. Certainly, outdoor jobs abound in Washington, with our state’s Understating often has inspiring mountains and beaches, fertile and productive farmland, the effect of undervaluing abundant natural resources, and highly valued natural environment. these jobs and skills, But the existing data does not provide a full picture of the demand for which can mean missed these jobs, nor the skills required to fill them. opportunities for Washington’s workers Digging deeper into existing data and surveying employers in these and employers. sectors could help pinpoint opportunities for Washington’s young people to enter these sectors and find fulfilling careers. This study was intended to assess current—and projected—employment levels across these sectors with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) oriented occupations that require “mid-level” education and skills.
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