Washington State Skill Center Association

SNOHOMISH, Wash — For generations, getting a high school letter was reserved for athletes. In recent years it has expanded into fields like theater and robotics - but one skill set has always been missing — until now.

As she works the welding torch in her class at Snohomish High School, Elizabeth Bogen is lighting a spark for students like her across the state.

"I've always really liked working with my hands since I was really little," Bogen said.

Bogen is great at building things, just as good as some classmates are at playing football, but there was no path for her to get a high school letter for her hard work.

"I thought it was interesting and something we should be able to do," she said.

So Bogen and classmate Remus Fox-Bailey decided to spell out the letter disparity to education officials — making Snohomish High the first school in the state to offer a varsity letter in skilled trades.

"It feels really cool to be the person to bring it in and start this for our state and give other people the opportunity to letter," Bogen said.

The U.S. will need an additional 2 million skilled trade workers over the next seven years. The lack of those workers is costing American businesses $1 trillion by 2030.

"There is a massive vacuum for anybody going out into skilled trades," said Matt Johnson, Snohomish High manufacturing instructor.

Nearly 80% of construction firms in Washington state struggle to find qualified workers. Despite layoffs last year at Boeing, the company continues to hire mechanics, electrical installers and maintenance technicians.

Johnson says the letter program gives new graduates an immediate advantage.

"This student should already have a leg up when it comes to work ethic, when it comes to drive, their ability to complete something and complete it on time," Johnson said. "It's about trade skills, but it's also about life skills."

Bogen already has a job waiting for her at Boeing after graduation, this spring. Elizabeth's letter helping write the story of her own future.

"If you do put in the effort, and you put in the work, you can be rewarded for it," she said.