Be ready for Washington’s future

Washington State is Growing Fast!

Over the last decade, our state has ranked 1^st in the country for economic growth and 9^th for job growth. That means lots of opportunities are coming your way! Thanks to booming industries and a skilled workforce, Washington’s future is bright.

More Jobs Are Coming

From 2023 to 2032, Washington’s job market is expected to grow by 12.8%—way faster than the national average of 2.8%. And with exciting growth in fields like clean technology, semiconductors, and infrastructure, job growth could reach nearly 16%! ?

1.5 Million+ Job Openings in Washington by 2032

• 640,000 of these jobs will be brand new.
• 910,000 will open up as people retire.

But here’s the thing—75% of these jobs will require education or training after high school. Whether it’s a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, apprenticeship, or other industry credential, education after high school will be key to unlocking these opportunities.

Where Will the Jobs Be?

Six industries stand out based on the number of job openings that will be available, offering good pay and strong career growth. They also have the benefit of being critical to our communities and are less likely to be automated. Check them out:

• Healthcare (Especially nurses, nursing assistants, and medical assistants.)
• Education (Especially teachers.)
• Advanced Computing & Technology (Think software developers, computer support specialists, and computer systems analysts.)
• Clean Technology (Essential clean energy jobs, like power plant operators, HVAC, and power distributors and dispatchers.)
• Construction & Skilled Trades (Building the future, literally. Think construction laborers, carpenters, and electricians.)
• Business & Management (Think business operations specialists, management analysts, and market research analysts.)

The Need for Skilled Workers

While job opportunities are growing fast, there’s a challenge: Washington doesn’t have enough workers with the right skills. By 2032, there will be a shortage of nearly 600,000 skilled workers!

This includes people with:

• Bachelor’s Degrees (We’ll be short by 301,000 workers.)
• Certifications & Apprenticeships (We’ll need 228,000 more people with specialized training.)
• Associate Degrees (A gap of 67,000 workers.)

Why This Matters to You

If you’re thinking about what’s next after high school, this is the time to plan for the future. Whether you’re aiming for a degree or industry credential, the opportunities are there—you just need to be ready to grab them. ?

How You Can Get Ahead

• Explore your options: Whether it’s a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, certificate, or apprenticeship, there are many pathways to success.
• Earn college credits in high school: Programs like Running Start, College in the High School, and Career Launch can help you earn college credits before you even graduate high school!
• Get hands-on experience: Look for internships, pre-apprenticeships, and career-connected learning programs that give you real-world experience while you learn.

Washington needs to skill up workers for our future. Whether you’re interested in tech, healthcare, construction, business, or education, the future is full of possibilities. ?

Resources

 Get Help Paying for College and Career Training

• The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) provides trusted information about how to apply for financial aid, as well as how to plan for your future. WSAC also has videos about the financial aid application process (for students and for parents) and finding out the cost of attendance.

• By filling out a state or federal financial aid application, students can find out if they are eligible for the Washington College Grant (also watch this video to learn more). The grant is available to recent high school graduates and working-age adults from low- to middle-income backgrounds (those making up to $120,500 per year for a family of four). An eligible student from a family of four with an income of $78,500 or less per year could get free college or career training. Use this calculator to estimate your award.

• Find more information about the Washington Application for State Financial Aid, for students who are undocumented, from WSAC.
• You can find resources about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), scholarships, and more at Get Schooled.

 Explore Post-High School Pathways

• The High School and Beyond Planning process can help you explore and plan an education-to-career pathway that’s right for you.
• College Knowledge materials include helpful information about choosing classes and extracurriculars in high school, preparing for post-high school education, applying for and enrolling in college, and more. The materials are co-designed by students and are available in Arabic, English, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
• Find out more about the many post-high school options available for students – including apprenticeships, two-year colleges, and four-year colleges – on the GEAR UP WA site.
• The Career Connect Washington Directory can help you find apprenticeships, mentor programs, and other opportunities to explore and prepare for careers that are available across the state.
• Discover your interests with the help of a career interest inventory.