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Third Congressional District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, toured manufacturers and career and technical education (CTE) programs throughout Southwest Washington last week in an effort to highlight her support for careers in the trades.
“Careers in the trades demand a high level of skill and expertise, and they’re essential to rebuilding American manufacturing and our middle class. Yesterday, I met with the folks who work these challenging jobs that are the foundation of Southwest Washington’s infrastructure, economy and timber industry,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement Thursday. “I’m working in Congress to ensure we reduce obstacles to entering the trades and rebuild the prestige of these careers — because our communities will be stronger for it.”
The two-day tour of Clark and Cowlitz County began Wednesday with a tour of Vigor’s aluminum fabrication facility along the Columbia River, Thompson Metal Fab in Vancouver, Wolf Industries in Battle Ground and Western Forest Products sawmill in Vancouver.
During the tour, Gluesenkamp Perez also visited Fort Vancouver High School’s advanced manufacturing and culinary arts courses.
On Thursday, Gluesenkamp Perez visited the Longview School District’s Apprenticeship Preparation Program at Mark Morris High School, the Lower Columbia College Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Childhood Education Assistant Program, and toured USNR, a lumber mill machine manufacturer in Woodland.
“By strengthening access to child care, ensuring students have robust technical education in schools and building out family-wage jobs in our woods, we can drive Southwest Washington’s economy forward. It’s why I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to do just that in Congress,” said Gluesenkamp Perez. “Before being sworn in, my husband and I brought our son to our auto repair shop most days because there were no other child care options available. Yesterday, I enjoyed speaking with parents who shared they can more fully participate in our economy and support their family when they have access to high-quality child care.”
