n April 2024, a small group of workforce professionals came together around a simple question: What can we build, right now, that strategically responds to workforce demand in rural Washington? We didn’t have to look far for the answer. Welding and fabrication surfaced quickly. Not by accident - by recognition. The need is everywhere. And it cuts across sectors and regions. That’s how the Maritime, Agriculture & Natural Resource, and Construction (MAC) Welding & Fabrication Project got started. Because this isn’t just a maritime issue. It’s not just construction. It’s not just agriculture. It’s any industry where welding shows up, and the challenge is the same: Demand is high. Capacity isn’t keeping up. Access is uneven.