The San Juan County Economic Development Council strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of the San Juan Islands.

A gap between available jobs and skilled tradespeople to fill them has been repeatedly identified as a major economic issue here by residents looking for services, governmental and social service agencies and by employers.

The EDC has worked over the past three years to create and implement a trades training program that will address this gap and provide training to youth and those in search of a new career. This effort would not have been possible without the strong partnerships that our local schools and funders have offered to us.

The EDC’s current program, Construction Basics, is now in progress and has enrolled 12 students eager to learn more about construction trades.

This course is the result of generous partnerships with the Community Foundation of San Juan Island, Ravenhill Construction, Ace Hardware, Green Man Landscape and Design and Friday Harbor High School. It is with the support of these organizations that we may offer this life-changing course to our island community. We are grateful to our community and these partners for helping us transform the lives of so many islanders.

Glenn Hendrick

EDC Trades Coordinator

San Juan Island