Wimmer and Washington STEM Join Forces for Breakfast Series
There's no way to sugar-coat it: Washington state's economy is
heavily dependent on migrating in more and more people with the
science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills that many
of our homegrown workers lack. In the last decade, Washington has
become one of the country's largest net importers of engineering
and technical talent to fill job openings here.
Without aggressive action, this mismatch in STEM skills between
what our own work force has and what our companies need will
continue to grow at a rate potentially dangerous to the health of
our economy.
That's why Wimmer Solutions is partnering with the nonprofit Washington STEM to engage
statewide business leaders in a recurring STEM Business Breakfast
series beginning in April. The first STEM Business Breakfast will
be April 11, and feature gaming industry star Ed Fries, co-creator
of XBOX. Subsequent events will feature thought leaders in
aerospace, online retail, and other industry sectors. For more
information, email STEMBreakfasts@WashingtonSTEM.org
or call (206) 658-4334.
The invitation-only series is an effort to "educate and empower
the business community to become more involved in the STEM
movement," says Neville Dembo, Wimmer Solutions Executive Vice
President of Business Development.
Senior business executives can play a critical role by working
with educators, Dembo says, to develop innovative programs that
make STEM careers more attractive. From encouraging a love of
STEM topics in the next generation, to facilitating teacher
development, to offering vocational training, businesses themselves
have the ability to expand and advance STEM education in our
state.
"This Business Breakfast Series is a bridge between the business
community and the education community," agrees Ruby Love, chief
development officer for Washington STEM, which
was created in March 2011 to advocate for more innovation and
equity in STEM education.
As a regional consulting and staffing firm rooted in STEM
fields, Wimmer Solutions "has a firsthand view of the mismatch
between available jobs and talent," Dembo says. "We see ourselves
as expert witnesses, and want to do something about it."
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Wimmer Solutions," says
Love. "They know what the problem is, and what we need to do to fix
it. They are a unique company that gets it."
To learn more about Wimmer Solutions, visit this page or see our Contact Us page.
