Category Archives: Community

Celebrating the Class of 2025

This year marked a special moment in Skills Inc.’s history as we celebrated 25 years of our Aerospace Internship Program (AIP) and the inaugural graduating class of our Advanced Manufacturing Leadership Academy (AMLA). Both programs are designed to empower high school students with hands-on experience, career readiness, and the confidence to take on their next chapter—whether that’s college, joining the workforce, or something in between.

Twenty-five students completed the AIP this year, and five trailblazers made history as the first graduates of AMLA. Over the course of the school year, these students immersed themselves in hands-on training, honed their technical and leadership abilities, and prepared for the exciting paths ahead.

On June 11th, we gathered at Emerald Downs for a graduation luncheon to recognize their achievements. The room was filled with pride as parents, educators, mentors, sponsors, and community partners came together to celebrate. It was a powerful reminder of what is possible when students are given meaningful opportunities—and when an entire community rallies behind them.

We were honored to welcome two guest speakers: Nikki Malcom, CEO and Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance, and Kelsey Kaufmann, an Inclusive Education Teacher from Kent-Meridian High School. Their messages of encouragement, reflection, and wisdom reminded students that this graduation is only the beginning of what they can achieve.

To everyone who has supported these students—and to all who have helped shape the AIP over the past 25 years—thank you. Your belief in the potential of young people makes a lasting impact.

And to our Class of 2025: congratulations! You’ve made us incredibly proud. No matter where life takes you next, your resilience, curiosity, and determination will continue to shape the world around you.

Congrats AIP Class of 2024!

Skills Inc. AIP Class of 2024 with collage of 29 black & white photos of each student

We are so proud of the 29 students who graduated from our Aerospace Internship Program this year! You demonstrated that you are ready for the next step in your life journey. You have set yourself up for future success—wherever that path takes you.

A graduation luncheon was held on June 7th at Emerald Downs. Family members, school administrators, mentors, and donors were in attendance to share in the students’ accomplishments. Guest speakers Kevin Cloud from Boeing, Julie Bannan from Orting High School, and Dylan LeMere—former AIP student who now works in Quality at Boeing—shared thoughts about their accomplishment and offered advice on next steps after high school.

Skills Inc. would like to express its gratitude to everyone that had a hand in mentoring and supporting these students—including family and friends, instructors, employees at Skills Inc., school administrators, community partners, and donors. During the academic year, the interns spent 3 hours a day at Skills Inc., developing valuable career readiness skills while earning credit towards their high school diplomas. They are leaving with experience in applied math, workplace documentation, and graphical literacy as well as important life skills—like being on time, working with peers, receiving direction and being a reliable team member. Fifteen of the students also earned the ACT National Career Readiness Certification. All of these graduates developed the capabilities and attitudes that will help them thrive in their future endeavors. Most importantly, they will leave high school knowing that they are highly capable and that their disability does not define them. Congratulations!

Winners of the 2024 PNAA Chair Award

Skills Inc. is honored to have received the 2024 PNAA Chair Award, which is presented to an individual, company or organization for outstanding accomplishments which have significantly contributed to the industry. Thanks to Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) for acknowledging the importance of an inclusive culture as the foundation for safety, quality, and technology integration.

Read the article about Skills Inc. that appeared in the recent edition of Northwest Aerospace News Magazine.

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Congrats AIP Class of 2023

a large, diverse group of high school students smile and pose for the picture

A graduation ceremony and celebration for this year’s twenty-six Aerospace Internship Program (AIP) graduates was held at Emerald Downs on June 9th. Parents and guardians, school administrators, mentors, and donors were in attendance to share in the students’ accomplishments. Guest speakers Peter Johnson from Boeing and Kelsey Kaufmann from Kent Meridian High School shared thoughts about their accomplishment and offered advice on next steps after high school.

In its 22nd year, the AIP served high school students from six different school districts. The interns spent 3 hours each day of the academic year at Skills Inc., developing valuable career readiness skills while earning credit towards their high school diplomas. These students are leaving with key skills in applied math, workplace documentation, and graphical literacy. They have developed valuable knowledge, abilities, and attitudes required to be successful in today’s advanced manufacturing environment. Each are strong communicators who are ready to educate and coach their future employers if and when they may need an accommodation. Most importantly, they leave high school knowing that they are highly capable and that their disability does not define them.

Skills Inc. would like to express our gratitude to the graduates for their hard work and dedication to the program. We would also like to thank everyone that had a hand in their success including family and friends, instructors, supervisors, mentors, school administrators, community partners, and donors.