We are honored to share that Lumber Traders has been named the 2025 Workplace Employer of the Year by the Washington Workforce Association.
This award recognizes employers who invest in their people and their communities through employee-ownership, training, and opportunity. It is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our employee owners who continue to grow, innovate, and support one another every day.
From expanding skilled trade careers through our Glassworks division to strengthening partnerships with Peninsula College and the Olympic Workforce Development Council, this recognition celebrates what is possible when we combine business success with community purpose.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Washington Workforce Association for this incredible honor and for their ongoing work to build a stronger workforce across our state.
We are proud of how far we have come, and even more motivated to keep building a company where people have a real stake in the future.
Why this award matters
The Washington Workforce Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization made up of the twelve Local Workforce Development Boards across Washington State. Their purpose is to leverage collective expertise and collaboration to advance the economic health of their communities through a skilled and competitive workforce.
In practical terms, that means:
- They support local boards in designing and implementing programs that connect job seekers and employers across industries.
- They advocate for policies and initiatives such as digital equity programs and work based training that help make workforce systems more inclusive and responsive.
- They serve as a bridge between education, training, and employers so that people are prepared for meaningful careers and companies can fill skilled roles.
When the Washington Workforce Association recognizes an employer, it represents more than one company’s success. It highlights meaningful alignment with the broader workforce ecosystem in Washington, investing in people, creating opportunity, and strengthening communities.
What this means for Lumber Traders and our community
For us, being named Workplace Employer of the Year is more than a trophy. It is a validation of our approach.
- That employee ownership creates real accountability and shared purpose.
- That investing in training and career paths, such as through our Glassworks division, opens doors for people, not just jobs.
- That partnering with institutions like Peninsula College and the Olympic Workforce Development Council helps build a sustainable talent pipeline for our region.
- That business growth and community investment are not separate goals. They reinforce each other.
We believe our future is bright when the people who work here are empowered, when they have ownership in our success, when they see clear pathways to advance, and when our business success benefits the region we serve.
Thank you
Thank you again to the Washington Workforce Association for this recognition. We also thank our employee owners, our partners, our community, and every person who continues to believe in what we are building together.
We look forward to continuing our mission with renewed energy, creating opportunity, building careers, and growing a company where people truly have a real stake in the future.