Letter from
OSPI and Boeing

From virtual learning at the start of 2021 to providing extra time for students to practice hands-on skills when they returned to classrooms, we’ve come together to support students in exploring and preparing for manufacturing careers. We’re grateful to all the dedicated teachers and families that have helped Washington students over the last year. 

Throughout 2021, the talent, resilience, and commitment of our Core Plus Aerospace community has continued to inspire us. It’s impressive to see what we’ve accomplished together: 

• During the fall of 2021, we welcomed eight new Core Plus Aerospace partner high schools for a total of 52 serving more than 2,000 students statewide. We’re excited that enrollment and demand is at an all-time high and the opportunities for these students is endless – from work to college, apprenticeships, and the military.  
• OSPI awarded nearly $900,000 in grants to 24 partner schools to start, maintain or expand Core Plus Aerospace and advanced manufacturing programs in high school. 
• The annual Core Plus Aerospace Summer Internship hosted by The Boeing Company welcomed a diverse group of high school students to a paid, virtual internship program where they learned real-world, hands-on skills, explored manufacturing career pathways, and networked with Boeing professionals. The internship helped past interns Jeric and Musa launch their futures.  
• More than 50 Core Plus Aerospace grads were hired into full time positions at Boeing in 2021. 
• Thanks to Washington’s community and technical colleges which offer more than 50 manufacturing programs that build on the Core Plus Aerospace foundation, students like Tabitha are building the skills to start successful careers in advanced manufacturing. 

The future will bring more opportunities to provide students with hands-on experiences that prepare Washington students for Washington’s future careers. Stories from classrooms across the state demonstrate the potential and possibility for our students to benefit from and contribute to a thriving manufacturing industry right here in Washington.