Boeing announced that it is issuing a series of grants totaling $6 million to educational institutions in Washington state. While the donation is generous, there is a strategy behind the company’s benevolence. Boeing is preparing for a major retirement wave in its Washington-based facilities and is therefore getting involved to ensure that there will be trained candidates from the area to fill open positions when the time comes.
“Boeing will be a significant jobs provider in Washington for decades to come,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner. “Our hope and goal is that those future jobs will continue to be filled by kids who grow up right here in the state.”
The grants are targeted to “underserved students” — those in communities that generally have not directed students to STEM careers. A variety of educational facilities, from small nonprofit organizations to elementary schools, and community and technical colleges, will receive money to “enhance STEM, workforce training, and educational and career pathway opportunities for students,” Boeing said.
The largest grants will be offered to three major universities: The University of Washington, which will receive $500,000, and Washington State University and Seattle University, which will each be issued $250,000.
