THE PORT ANGELES GLOBE: WA COMMERCE DEPT: Study: Lack of skilled workers puts Washington state’s life science industry “future at risk”

Saturday, October 21, 2017

WA COMMERCE DEPT: Study: Lack of skilled workers puts Washington state’s life science industry “future at risk”

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 19/ 17
http://www.commerce.wa.gov/news-releases/study-lack-of-skilled-workers-puts-washington-states-life-science-industry-future-at-risk/

High demand, stiff competition for IT and skilled production workers threaten current and long-term growth of key sector that today employs nearly 30,000 across the state

OLYMPIA, WA – Washington state’s life sciences industry is facing a critical lack of skilled workers that threatens to stunt future growth, according to a report released today by the state Department of Commerce. Commerce commissioned the full labor market analysis study in collaboration with Governor Inslee’s Life Science and Global Health Workforce Panel.

The report, Assessing Washington’s Life Science and Global Health Workforce Dynamics: Enhancing Connections and Addressing the Skills Gap to Ensure Future Growth, notes that while Washington has built a sizeable life science industry employing nearly 30,000 in high-quality jobs, future growth and competitiveness face challenging headwinds, with workforce issues the top concern. Industry data showed recent stagnation in job gains, patent activity and industrial research and development here compared to the U.S. and competitor states.

Average wages in the industry are $84,156 with above-average concentration in research, testing and medical labs. Washington is also a leader in the related, primarily nonprofit global health sector.

A primary cause for concern is intense competition for similar talent and STEM graduates sought by the region’s huge IT and aerospace industries. The assessment identified eight groups of workers in high-demand: life-science-related engineers; medical and clinical lab technicians; regulatory affairs; bioinformatics/biostatistics; engineers and engineering technicians; information technology; skilled production; and marketing and technical sales reps.

“The report tells us we need better alignment with industry needs and existing workforce capabilities,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender. “The good news is the study helps provide a roadmap to accomplishing that. It highlights the industry’s strengths, such as its workforce diversity as compared to other high tech industries.”
Diversity and inclusion in the workforce is one bright spot in the report. Washington’s life science employers are faring better at engaging women in the industry than the nation and are doing much better than other large manufacturing and IT sectors in the state economy. Since 2000, life science employers have also increased the share of racial minorities from 16 percent to 22 percent, signaling progress in inclusion as well as gender representation.
Bonlender joined Leslie Alexandre, executive director of Life Science Washington, Denise McCarthy, executive director of Oregon Bioscience Association, and Lori Stewart, vice president of human resources at Adaptive Biotechnologies to discuss the study and workforce challenges at the Life Science Washington Governor’s Summit in Bellevue tomorrow. Life Science Washington is the state’s leading industry association of biomedical and biotech companies.

WA COMMERCE DEPT PRESS RELEASE: Attorney Christopher Poulos named to head Washington State Reentry Council
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 19/ 17
http://www.commerce.wa.gov/news-releases/attorney-christopher-poulos-named-to-head-washington-state-reentry-council/

From penitentiary to White House, new executive director uniquely qualified to lead policy efforts to address addiction, help former inmates successfully rejoin workforce

Christopher Poulos will serve as executive director of the Washington Statewide Reentry Council, appointed by Department of Commerce Director Brian Bonlender and the council following a nationwide search.

“Chris Poulos, whose compelling personal journey includes taking himself from homelessness, addiction, and prison to law school and serving in the White House and on Capitol Hill, is uniquely qualified to lead our efforts to develop this state’s ‘hidden workforce,’ encouraging successful transitions from incarceration to workplace. We are delighted to have Chris on board,” Bonlender said.

Poulos, once a homeless teenager and now a licensed attorney, served nearly three years in a federal prison for a drug-related conviction. His inspiring story was chronicled by the Washington Post, NBC News and others. He presented a TED Talk in 2015. Poulos also was interviewed by TVW’s Austin Jenkins on Inside Olympia.

Prior to taking the helm at Washington’s Reentry Council this month, Poulos served as executive director of Life of Purpose Treatment at the University of North Texas, where he was also an adjunct professor of criminal justice. During law school, he served in the Obama White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and The Sentencing Project. Poulos has advised United States Senator Angus King (I-Maine) on addiction and justice policy and served on several task forces related to criminal justice policy. He graduated cum laude from the University of Maine School of Law, where he was president of the American Constitution Society and represented children facing criminal charges as a student attorney in the Juvenile Justice Clinic.

“I am incredibly honored and privileged to serve as Executive Director of the Washington Statewide Reentry Council,” Poulos said. “The fact that the Council and Department of Commerce selected a person who has both professional and personal reentry experience speaks volumes on the state’s commitment to developing smart and innovative policies regarding community reentry following criminal justice system involvement. I plan to work closely with the Council, state government, and the public to seize this opportunity to promote public safety by helping provide pathways to success for people reentering society.”

WEEKLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT

NEWS FROM THE USDA:
USDA Provides Support for Hurricane-Impacted Dairies in Puerto Rico
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 19/ 17
https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2017/10/19/usda-provides-support-hurricane-impacted-dairies-puerto-rico

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2017 – In the wake of the 2017 hurricanes, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing emergency assistance to dairy operators in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. USDA is preparing for signup to begin Oct. 21, 2017.

“We’re dispatching additional USDA staff to the island, but we also continue to ramp up material assistance as well,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. “Dairy producers need help immediately, and the Trump Administration is providing it.”

Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Puerto Rico’s agriculture sector, including dairy operations. Secretary Perdue said the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is providing up to $12 million dollars to enable operators of Puerto Rico’s 253 licensed dairy operations to purchase feed for cattle. The special initiative, applicable only to Puerto Rico, is called the Dairy Assistance Program for Puerto Rico (DAP-PR). The program will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which has offices and staff on the island.

“Dairy operations face additional losses unless they have feed for their remaining cattle,” said Perdue. “This funding will enable them to get the help they need until the situation in Puerto Rico stabilizes.”
Under the provisions of today’s announcement, dairy operators can apply to FSA to receive vouchers to purchase an estimated one-month supply of feed. The amount of the voucher is calculated based on 100 percent of estimated feed costs per cow for 30 days. There are an estimated 94,000 dairy cows on the island.
The CCC Charter Act includes authority for the corporation to make available materials and facilities required in connection with the production and marketing of agricultural commodities (except tobacco). The DAP-PR is a one-time initiative, designed to quickly provide disaster relief to assist in the production and marketing of dairy in Puerto Rico.
FSA will issue vouchers to licensed dairy applicants who may exchange the vouchers for feed at local dealers. If funding remains available at the end of the application period, FSA may provide assistance for additional feed or fuel purchases to further support these dairy operations. All applications must be received no later than Dec. 1, 2017.
For more information about how to apply, call the USDA Puerto Rico disaster assistance hotline for agricultural producers at 1-787-303-0341, visit your local FSA office, or go to www.fsa.usda.gov.

USDA BLOGS
Arkansas Producer Diversifies Breeder Hen Operation Using USDA Microloan
Blog posted 10/ 20/ 17
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/10/20/arkansas-producer-diversifies-breeder-hen-operation-using-usda-microloan
Agricultural producers know that the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has programs to assist them when natural disasters strike and commodity prices decline; however, most producers take preventative measures to further protect their operation.

Koua Thao reached out to Gene Horne, FSA Farm Loan Manager, about diversifying his breeder hen operation in Miller County, Arkansas.

In 2005, Thao used a USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Guaranteed Farm Ownership loan to purchase the breeder hen farm with two hen houses on 40 acres.
Thao and his wife, Mai Her, have a contract with Tyson. They provide the labor and management and Tyson supplies the hens and roosters. Once the hens lay their eggs, Tyson picks up the eggs, incubates them and hatches broilers which are raised for meat production.
Last year, Thao visited with Horne about purchasing cattle to graze the 40 acre pasture. Thao was approved for a USDA Microloan and purchased 22 cows and one bull to supplement his income and to graze the pasture, which in turn is fertilized with chicken manure.
USDA Microloans offer more flexible access to credit for small, beginning and niche agricultural operations. Microloans can be used for operating expenses or to purchase farmland. The maximum loan amount is $50,000. The application process is simple and requires less paperwork because of the smaller maximum loan amount.
“I don’t have much land, but USDA programs help quite a bit,” Thao said. “The cows keep the grass down and I hope they help out financially. I just got 11 calves and I’m hoping for 11 more in the next month.”
Thao is originally from Laos in Southeast Asia and originally settled in Minnesota, but relocated to Arkansas for the warmer climate and to be closer to relatives. He worked at a print shop before venturing into agriculture.
“Agriculture is in my blood,” Thao said. “My family has always done agriculture and agriculture is interesting to me. I like being outside and to work alone.”
Thao learned about FSA loans through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). He used NRCS programs to build high tunnels, install a micro irrigation system, construct an incinerator and build a litter stacking shed.
“Koua is a hard worker and obviously takes care of his cattle,” Horne said. “His cows are fleshy and look good. He’s new to the livestock business, but is willing to put in the work.”

FAS Trade Mission to Brazil Delivers Results for U.S. Exporters
Blog post date 10/ 19/ 17
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/10/19/fas-trade-mission-brazil-delivers-results-us-exporters

I joined more than 20 U.S. companies and farm groups last month on the first FAS trade mission to Brazil. The trip provided the opportunity to expand agricultural exports and further develop business relationships in the cities of Recife and São Paulo. Over five days, participants had more than 275 one-on-one business meetings, resulting in $6.7 million in projected sales of U.S. farm and food products to Brazil over the next 12 months.

The trade mission also proved timely for U.S. ethanol companies and associations grappling with the recent policy changes impeding ethanol exports to the country. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) helped facilitate industry-related site visits and stakeholder meetings for those in the ethanol delegation, including participation in a regional ethanol conference, a tour of the Port of Suape and meetings with Brazilian government staff. All of these efforts helped the U.S. ethanol representatives gain a greater understanding of the recent changes and will play a critical role in their efforts to push for full market access to Brazil.

This mission exemplifies how we at FAS directly serve USDA customers, deliver results for U.S. exporters and link U.S. agriculture to the world. I have found that when individuals and companies want to start exporting to a particular market, they often don’t know how and where to begin. This is where we step in to help get the job done! We give companies an opportunity to learn in-person about local markets, to build relationships with prospective customers face-to-face and to promote their high-quality, U.S. produced agricultural products.

And most importantly, our trade missions not only help open doors for U.S. exporters, but each year they generate millions of dollars in export sales.

If you are interested in expanding into new foreign markets, check out our trade programs to learn how we can help deliver results for you. To learn more and to stay up-to-date on trade mission opportunities, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

On the State level...

WSDA now accepting nonlethal wolf management grant applications
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is now accepting applications for the Northeast Washington Wolf-Livestock Management grant program.
Applications can be found at www.agr.wa.gov/Grants with the first round of applications due to WSDA grant coordinator Leisa Schumaker at lschumaker@agr.wa.gov by 5 p.m. PST on Dec. 15.
Earlier this year, the state Legislature allocated $300,000 to this grant for the 2017-19 biennium. The funding is intended to support projects related to nonlethal methods of deterring wolves from livestock in Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties.
Individuals and nonprofit, community-based organizations are eligible for these grants.
In consultation with area legislators and conservations districts, WSDA Director Derek Sandison has appointed four members to the Northeast Washington Wolf-Livestock Grant Advisory Board. All members are knowledgeable about wolf depredation issues and approaches. The purpose of this advisory board is to review and select projects to receive funding and advise WSDA on the expenditures of the northeast Washington wolf-livestock management grant funds.
https://agr.wa.gov/news/2017/NR2017-10-16WolfLivestockGrant.aspx