About washington state
From the watery edges of its western shores to the rich, fertile farmlands in the east, Washington state has distinguished itself on the global stage as a cultivator of innovation. Located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, Washington has built and supported some of the world’s most famous brands, products, and ideas that surround and infuse our global culture. Its high quality of life, strategic location, and booming and diverse economy are a few of the many reasons why Washington State is a great place to do business, invest, live, and visit.
World-Class Economy
Boeing. Microsoft. Amazon. Starbucks. These are a few of the many world-changing companies
that were created and are thriving in Washington state. The economy is powered by innovative
industries spread throughout Washington’s 39 countries – the state is a global center for
aerospace and ICT, is a center for global health, has one of the largest life science sectors in the
world, and is rapidly growing in the areas of clean technology and advanced manufacturing.
Washington is also home to a leading maritime industry and one of the most productive and
diverse agricultural regions in the world. All of these dynamic industries are able to flourish on a global scale thanks to Washington’s prime geographical location and its history as an
established trading hub - at least 40% of all jobs in the state are tied to international trade.
Highly Skilled Workforce
Washington state boasts one of the most impressive and highly skilled workforces in the United
States. It is home to a national laboratory, two major universities, a world-renowned cancer
research center, and 34 community and technical colleges. Over 90% of the population has at
least a high school degree as compared to the 75% national average, and 9.5% of the
population has science and tech degrees. And Washington’s largest city, Seattle, is ranked as
the most educated city in the United States with over 34% of the population 25 years and older
holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Our workforce includes:
267,500 high-tech workers, including 51,700 software engineers
131,500+ aerospace workers
295,931 workers in manufacturing
148,000 employees in maritime trades
34,000+ in life sciences, including researchers
http://choosewashingtonstate.com/why-washington/our-strengths/highly-skilled-workforce/
Quality of Life
Washington state stands apart as an amazing place to live, offering endless opportunities for its
residents to enjoy the great outdoors. The state is studded with beaches, lakes, mountain
ranges, and forests, as well as a PGA championship golf course and three national parks.
Washington also has a vibrant cultural, food, sports, and arts scene, featuring award winning
symphonies, ballets, museums, theaters, operas, wineries, and restaurants throughout the
state. It also has professional sports teams in American football, baseball, women’s basketball,
and soccer.
Washington has one of the milder climates in the nation. Although it does rain, many other U.S.
states and cities have larger annual total rainfalls, and Eastern Washington enjoys 300 sunny
days a year. In the summer, the weather in Western Washington is the envy of the nation, with
temperatures averaging around 75°F/24°C.
Choose Washington
For global companies to be competitive, they must locate where they can be near researchers
pushing the envelope of knowledge in their industries. Where the quality of life continually
attracts and retains talented and innovative people from around the world. Where government
appreciates global competition and supports businesses. Where the logistics and distribution infrastructure is first-rate and the workforce is highly-skilled and deeply integrated with the rest
of the world. It is a complicated recipe for success but Washington state has risen to the
occasion, establishing itself as one of the best places in the world to do business. Choose
Washington state, and make us part of your success.
World-Class Economy
Boeing. Microsoft. Amazon. Starbucks. These are a few of the many world-changing companies
that were created and are thriving in Washington state. The economy is powered by innovative
industries spread throughout Washington’s 39 countries – the state is a global center for
aerospace and ICT, is a center for global health, has one of the largest life science sectors in the
world, and is rapidly growing in the areas of clean technology and advanced manufacturing.
Washington is also home to a leading maritime industry and one of the most productive and
diverse agricultural regions in the world. All of these dynamic industries are able to flourish on a global scale thanks to Washington’s prime geographical location and its history as an
established trading hub - at least 40% of all jobs in the state are tied to international trade.
Highly Skilled Workforce
Washington state boasts one of the most impressive and highly skilled workforces in the United
States. It is home to a national laboratory, two major universities, a world-renowned cancer
research center, and 34 community and technical colleges. Over 90% of the population has at
least a high school degree as compared to the 75% national average, and 9.5% of the
population has science and tech degrees. And Washington’s largest city, Seattle, is ranked as
the most educated city in the United States with over 34% of the population 25 years and older
holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Our workforce includes:
267,500 high-tech workers, including 51,700 software engineers
131,500+ aerospace workers
295,931 workers in manufacturing
148,000 employees in maritime trades
34,000+ in life sciences, including researchers
http://choosewashingtonstate.com/why-washington/our-strengths/highly-skilled-workforce/
Quality of Life
Washington state stands apart as an amazing place to live, offering endless opportunities for its
residents to enjoy the great outdoors. The state is studded with beaches, lakes, mountain
ranges, and forests, as well as a PGA championship golf course and three national parks.
Washington also has a vibrant cultural, food, sports, and arts scene, featuring award winning
symphonies, ballets, museums, theaters, operas, wineries, and restaurants throughout the
state. It also has professional sports teams in American football, baseball, women’s basketball,
and soccer.
Washington has one of the milder climates in the nation. Although it does rain, many other U.S.
states and cities have larger annual total rainfalls, and Eastern Washington enjoys 300 sunny
days a year. In the summer, the weather in Western Washington is the envy of the nation, with
temperatures averaging around 75°F/24°C.
Choose Washington
For global companies to be competitive, they must locate where they can be near researchers
pushing the envelope of knowledge in their industries. Where the quality of life continually
attracts and retains talented and innovative people from around the world. Where government
appreciates global competition and supports businesses. Where the logistics and distribution infrastructure is first-rate and the workforce is highly-skilled and deeply integrated with the rest
of the world. It is a complicated recipe for success but Washington state has risen to the
occasion, establishing itself as one of the best places in the world to do business. Choose
Washington state, and make us part of your success.
Sam Kaplan is president for the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle. He guides strategic planning and manages staff for an organization that promotes and connects the Greater Seattle region internationally for trade and business. Sam previously was vice president of the Trade Alliance.
Prior to the Trade Alliance, Sam worked as a legislative assistant handling foreign affairs and trade issues for now retired U.S. Representative John Miller. Representative Miller served on the Foreign Affairs Committee and its Subcommittee on International Trade. Sam has been published in the World Bank's Urban Age magazine, as well as in many other publications. He is a member of the Board for the Ethnic Heritage Council and the Confucius Institute of Washington State. His most recent screenplay, Please Hold, won Best Comedy Script in the Indie Short Film Competition and recently premiered online.
Tamara Thorhallsson is the Special Projects and Communications Coordinator for the Trade Development Alliance. She has been a logistics coordinator for the International Leadership Mission program since 2012. Tamara graduated from the University of Washington in 2011 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in International Studies. Previously, she interned in the Office of International Relations and Protocols at the University of Washington. Tamara has dual citizenship with Iceland and was raised in Hawaii.
Prior to the Trade Alliance, Sam worked as a legislative assistant handling foreign affairs and trade issues for now retired U.S. Representative John Miller. Representative Miller served on the Foreign Affairs Committee and its Subcommittee on International Trade. Sam has been published in the World Bank's Urban Age magazine, as well as in many other publications. He is a member of the Board for the Ethnic Heritage Council and the Confucius Institute of Washington State. His most recent screenplay, Please Hold, won Best Comedy Script in the Indie Short Film Competition and recently premiered online.
Tamara Thorhallsson is the Special Projects and Communications Coordinator for the Trade Development Alliance. She has been a logistics coordinator for the International Leadership Mission program since 2012. Tamara graduated from the University of Washington in 2011 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in International Studies. Previously, she interned in the Office of International Relations and Protocols at the University of Washington. Tamara has dual citizenship with Iceland and was raised in Hawaii.