Industry Skill Panels

Industry Skill Panels are public/private partnerships of business, labor and education - alliances working together to improve the skills of workers in industries vital to Washington's economy. Washington has worked with Skill Panels since 2000 and has now moved into its second generation of Skill Panels through the High Skills, High Wages Strategic Fund.

Giving Washington industry an edge
Skill Panels have been instrumental in cultivating skilled workers and thriving businesses throughout Washington. Read how they've helped the wine industry in Walla Walla, interactive media in Seattle and clean energy in a five-state region.

Right now, several Skill Panels are operating as part of the High Skills, High Wages Strategic Fund, including the Intracoastal Marine and Advanced Manufacturing Industry Alliance.

Skill Panels, Skill Gaps and Industry Clusters
Skill Panels focus on industry clusters with the goal of closing local skill gaps (state Skill Gap report).

Skill Panels were included in the Building Skills, Increasing Economic Vitality: A Handbook of Innovative State Policies 2005 handbook. In 2008, the Workforce Board contracted for Performance Evaluation Framework for skill panels.

Contact: Mike Brennan – Economic Development Program Specialist
mbrennan@wtb.wa.gov, (360) 586-8683