Brief Description: Creating a center for advanced manufacturing.

Sponsors: Representatives Upthegrove, Schual-Berke, Simpson, G., Cairnes, Wallace, Veloria, Wood, Kenney, Morrell and Conway.

Hearing Date: 2/3/04

Staff: Tracey Taylor (786-7196).

Background:

The Employment Security Department's (ESD) Labor Market and Economic Report for 2003 notes that the manufacturing sector in Washington has lost 62,500 jobs since the employment peak of November 2000. Manufacturing accounted for 17 percent of Washington's employment base in 1990. In 2003, it accounts for just under 11 percent.

The report characterizes the manufacturing sector, along with natural resources and agriculture and the federal government, as a structurally declining industry as opposed to a cyclical industry. Structural changes are associated with permanent changes in demand or supply that lead to an adaption in an industry while cyclical changes are usually associated with the business cycle.

The ESD reports that about three-quarters of the decline in manufacturing is structural. The manufacturing sectors exhibiting larger structural declines include paper manufacturing, wood products, transportation equipment, primary metal manufacturing, and food manufacturing. Some areas of manufacturing still show more stable employment and appear to be experiencing cyclically dominated change. These areas include electrical equipment and appliance, nonmetallic mineral products, furniture and related products, and petroleum and coal products.

The 1990s saw significant new investment by manufacturing companies in technologies including hardware, software and the use of new processes, often based on team work and new organizational structures. This is causing the number of unskilled manufacturing jobs to decline. Manufacturers are demanding a more skilled worker in order to deal with the growing range of advanced technologies.

Summary of Bill:

A Center for Advanced Manufacturing (Center) is created to provide ongoing training, curriculum and courses to develop a skilled work force, with a focus on quality efficiency practices. The Center will be administered by the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED).

Among the services the Center could offer: a research institution to transfer technology for commercial applications in small to mid-market manufacturers; a clearinghouse and national research library; and on-going training and curriculum to develop a skilled workforce.             

The Center must coordinate with related programs at the Washington Technology Center and Washington's higher education institutions.

An advisory committee of 12 members may be created for the Center.

The Center may receive gifts, grants, or endowments from public or private sources.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 2, 2004.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.