New Fluke Engineering Lab to Give More Than 4,000 Students Across Five WSU Campuses Hands-On Experience with Fluke Measurement and Test Technology
New Fluke Engineering Lab at Washington State University Opens to Prepare the Next Generation of Engineers
New Fluke Engineering Lab at Washington State University Opens to Prepare the Next Generation of Engineers
Everett, Washington, Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — U.S. manufacturing could need as many as 3.8 million new workers by 2033, with up to 1.9 million jobs potentially going unfilled because of skills and talent gaps.* Bridging that gap starts with giving tomorrow’s engineers the tools and experience they need today. Through its partnership with Washington State University (WSU), Fluke today is celebrating the opening of the new Fluke Engineering Lab at WSU Everett’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture.
The lab will give more than 4,000 engineering students across five WSU campuses hands-on experience with 30+ Fluke tools and technologies used across industry. Students will train on real-world technologies—from thermal imaging and digital multimeters to calibration equipment and energy loggers—used by engineers and technicians every day. Students will build practical measurement and diagnostic skills using the technologies they’ll encounter in the workplace.
“Great engineers learn by doing. Through the Fluke Engineering Lab, students will gain hands-on experience with the same tools and technologies they’ll use in industry. This investment is about more than equipment. It’s about building the skills, confidence and problem-solving capability the next generation will need to strengthen our workforce, accelerate innovation and solve the critical challenges facing industry,” said Parker Burke, President at Fluke.
“Tomorrow’s engineers cannot be prepared for tomorrow’s challenges using yesterday’s tools,” said Washington State University President Betsy Cantwell. “Through our partnership with Fluke, we’re bringing industry directly into the classroom and creating new opportunities for students to connect what they learn with how engineering is practiced in the real world. This kind of university-industry partnership can transform engineering education and help WSU shape the future of engineering in Washington and beyond,”
The Fluke Engineering Lab opening kicked off WSU in the Puget Sound and coincided with WSU’s Apple Cup weekend celebrations, bringing together university, industry and community leaders to celebrate the growth of WSU Everett and its role in the region. The event underscores a shared commitment to closing the skills gap and equipping students with the hands-on expertise needed to succeed in engineering, advanced manufacturing, maintenance and other technology-driven industries.
The partnership also extends beyond the new Lab. Fluke will continue its longstanding support of WSU students through mentorship of capstone projects both at the Everett campus and across the university, providing students with opportunities to apply their engineering knowledge to real-world challenges.
“While the Fluke Engineering Lab is located at WSU Everett, the opportunities this partnership creates will extend far beyond a single location, benefiting students and strengthening engineering programs across the WSU system. We are grateful to Fluke for its investment in our students and for helping expand access to industry-standard tools, experiences, and opportunities across all of our campuses,” said Sandra Haynes, Executive Vice President for WSU Statewide Campuses.
The need for this type of industry-connected education is underscored by ongoing workforce challenges facing manufacturers and other technology-intensive industries. Recent Fluke research found that skills-related challenges account for 78% of reported obstacles to technology adoption, including lack of expertise, knowledge shortages, skilled labor gaps and broader workforce skills shortages.
About Fluke
Founded in 1948, Fluke Corporation is the world leader in compact, professional electronic test tools and software for measuring and condition monitoring. Fluke customers are technicians, engineers, electricians, maintenance managers, and metrologists who install, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial, electrical, and electronic equipment and calibration processes.
About Washington State University
Washington State University is a nationally recognized public research university committed to advancing knowledge, inspiring discovery, and preparing future leaders. As the state’s land-grant university with campuses, research centers, and Extension offices across the state, WSU is dedicated to teaching, research, and outreach that strengthen Washington’s economy and improve the quality of life for people across the region and beyond.
About Economic Alliance Snohomish County
As the largest regional economic development organization in Snohomish County, Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) supports a globally competitive regional economy in which all businesses can thrive and participate equally through effective advocacy and resource access.
* The Manufacturing Institute
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FLUKE is a registered trademark of Fluke Corporation. For more information, visit the Fluke website.
- What is the Fluke Engineering Lab?
The Fluke Engineering Lab is a hands-on learning environment at WSU Everett equipped with more than 30 Fluke tools and technologies used across industry. Students can gain practical experience with diagnostic and measurement tools they will encounter in the workplace.
- Why is the lab important?
The lab bridges the gap between classroom theory and the real-world skills employers need. It helps prepare students to enter the workforce with practical experience while strengthening the pipeline of engineering and technical talent.
- How will students benefit?
More than 4,000 engineering students across five WSU campuses will have access to industry-standard tools and hands-on learning. They can build skills in troubleshooting, predictive maintenance, electrical systems, energy efficiency and industrial equipment while gaining real-world experience through mentorship and capstone projects.
Attachments
- New Fluke Engineering Lab at Washington State University Opens to Prepare the Next Generation of Engineers
- New Fluke Engineering Lab at Washington State University Opens to Prepare the Next Generation of Engineers
CONTACT: Georgia Marchant Fluke Corporation [email protected]
