Submitted by the San Juan County Economic Development Council

The San Juan County Economic Development Council, an islands nonprofit, is starting a new series of talks about entering the skilled trades to help people jump into career development quickly as training opportunities re-open. Trades professionals remain in high demand by local businesses and residents, and skilled trades provide above-average wages. They are critical for diversifying our county’s economy for a resilient and sustainable future.

Join the EDC at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, to speak with professionals about what it is like to work in their fields, how to get training, and other key things know about entering a career in trades. Presenters will address these questions and illustrate their craft with a virtual tour of a workplace, a walk-through of some representative task or problem, or an introduction to a tool of the trade. Presentations will be followed by Q and A. The EDC invites workers over 18 years old who are considering entering a new career.

The first event was 9 a.m. on June 2 with Bryan Johnson, the co-founder of Island Craft Builders, LLC. Johnson is a cheerleader for the building trades and believes they offer a tremendous opportunity for financial and personal growth.

More information can be found on the EDC’s website, https://www.sanjuansedc.org/trades-talks/.

The EDC thanks San Juan County; the Raynier Foundation; the Town of Friday Harbor; the Port of Friday Harbor; the Port of Lopez; the San Juan Island Community Foundation; Orcas Island Community Foundation; King’s Market; Marketplace; Orcas Island Market; Walt Corbin; the Orcas Island Community Foundation; Islanders Bank; Heritage Bank; and the Washington State Department of Commerce for their support of EDC initiatives.