Business Leaders' Report to Show Quality Early Learning as Key to Reversing Skills Gap in Washington State Workforce

Edwards, Krienen and Beehler to release report calling on federal and state lawmakers to make high-quality early learning programs a top priority

OLYMPIA, Wash., Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A skills gap that resulted in thousands of jobs in Washington State going unfilled at the height of the recession poses a serious threat to the state's long-term economic prospects, according to a new report to be released at noon on Thursday, February 17, in Olympia.

Three prominent business leaders, all members of the national business group, AMERICA'S EDGE, will call on lawmakers to prioritize investments in voluntary high-quality early learning programs as one key solution to reversing the skills gap and helping provide a ready supply of skilled workers over the long term.

Also attending the press conference will be a bi-partisan group of prominent Washington State legislators.

Mike Edwards, director of Thurston First Bank, Sue Krienen, general manager of the Shell Puget Sound Refinery in Anacortes and Pat Beehler, senior professional land surveyor with David Evans and Associates, will emphasize that despite a terrible economy, thousands of jobs are not being filled in Washington State because not enough workers have the skills to fill them, a problem that has been accelerated by the recession.

The business leaders will say that Washington State must take action now to ensure that the skill levels of the state's future workforce will meet the demands of Washington State businesses. The group will discuss how high-quality early learning programs can give the state the best return for its educational investment in addressing the skills gap issue.

SOURCE America's Edge