Each year the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business shines a spotlight on the work being done at the Hanford site north of Richland and how the robust injection of federal dollars weaves a vital thread through our local economy.

The complexity of Hanford cleanup is a monumental task costing billions each year, with this fiscal year’s budget increasing $200 million over the previous year’s – to more than $3 billion. It’s easy to skim over big numbers, but we want to slow you down and point out that’s billions with a B.

As many experienced Hanford employees approach retirement age, the need to replenish and fortify the workforce – which numbers more than 11,000 people — becomes increasingly urgent.

Bechtel National Inc. posted more than 180 job openings in March. Central Plateau Cleanup Company and Hanford Mission Integration Solutions told the Journal of Business that they typically post 10 to 15 new positions a week.

The message is clear: We must recruit, train and empower a new wave of talent to sustain the necessary progress for the years to come.

Hanford’s biggest contractors are taking steps to be proactive and to build a robust pipeline of skilled workers. From internships to flexible employment, from partnerships with educational institutions to apprenticeship readiness programs, the strategies are diverse and far-reaching.

Yet, the challenge extends beyond the boundaries of Hanford. It encompasses the needs of the broader regional workforce, driven by economic growth and industrial expansion. Our area is poised for significant job growth in the coming years, amplifying the demand for skilled labor across various sectors.

Our two counties continue to grow at a steady clip — 1.8% from 2010-22 — and projections show that the number of people of color will exceed 200,000 within six years, making the area a minority-majority.

It’s more important than ever that workforce planning include strategic conversations about attracting, training and hiring people of color.

Meeting this demand requires more than just filling vacant positions. It requires a measured workforce development approach that aligns with the evolving needs of the Hanford site and surrounding communities.

We think more conversations across the different sectors in our community on this issue are essential.

Tri-Citians like to say we have always stood at the forefront of innovation and resilience, echoing a legacy dating back to the Manhattan Project. As we face the coming workforce challenges, let’s make sure we’re applying that same ingenuity to our workforce planning conversations.