Cluster Development Guiding Principles

• Methodologies to identify strategic clusters inform and guide investment decisions basing them on evidence-based, quantitative data.
• Workforce and economic development partner agencies, such as the Department of Commerce, may work from different lists of strategic clusters because investment strategies vary.
• In the interest of consistency, the Workforce Board encourages partner agencies to use a shared set of cluster source data and indexing processes to identify strategic clusters.
• Clusters are but one of many strategies for workforce and economic development.
• Local areas may provide supplemental data and supporting evidence the Workforce Board can use to improve lists of strategic clusters. 
• Potential (or “emerging”) clusters are not identified in the scope of the 2008-09 analysis of clusters and strategic clusters. They do, however, have a role in other workforce and economic development initiatives.
• The geographic locus of strategic clusters is regional, not statewide.
• Strategic cluster lists shall be updated periodically to keep pace with changing economic conditions.

1323 Report-Coordinating Workforce and Economic Development around Clusters--NEW!

Industry Cluster Analysis

Statewide Findings & Conclusions

Cluster Analysis Power Point Presentation

Complete Report (124 pages, 5 mg file)

Skills for the Next Washington

Targeting Industry Clusters as an Economic Development Strategy (powerpoint by Bryan Wilson)