Career exploration key to building the next-generation workforce

When we talk about workforce development, people often envision the later stages in that process, where a person is engaged in relevant post-secondary academic studies, apprenticeships, internships, and/or on-the-job training.

But as important, perhaps more so, is the initial phase where a young person is exposed to and explores various fields of interest, discovering a broad spectrum of potential career options they might not have imagined.

To promote this early career exploration, The STEM Foundation works with the local Dream Builders Education Foundation to fund eye-opening student experiences spanning elementary through high school in the Mid-Columbia.

In December, $23,000 in grants were awarded that will allow teachers, partnering with working professionals, to introduce students to everything from 3D printing technology to cybersecurity to food science to marine biology. It is through such experiences that we aim to spark the journey of the next generation toward fulfilling career pathways.

Looking ahead to the next generation, in February, we are excited to partner with TRIDEC at its annual Economic Outlook event for an interactive session focused on building the next-generation workforce. You are invited to join us as we explore new and emerging career pathways, and how we can bring more opportunity to a wider audience, while allowing businesses and industries to achieve their staffing goals.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of our efforts.

Matt Hammer, Board President

Deb Bowen, Executive Director

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024 | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

THREE RIVERS CONVENTION CENTER, KENNEWICK

Take a moment to view our new STEM Like ME!® video and learn how business and industry partners are making an impact in K-12 schools and creating meaningful career connected learning programs by hosting an intern, supporting STEM nights, and developing apprentice opportunities. Together we are building the workforce of tomorrow!

Washington Jobs Initiative: Good Jobs Challenge Award Announcement

Career Connect Washington Programs Are Growing

Highlighted below is a Career Launch program that is making a difference locally for both young people and employers in our Career Connect Southeast region.

Career Launch Spotlight: Nuclear Technology @ CBC

Career Connected Learning and Data Resources

UDOC Summer High School Program: A FREE six-week program for high school juniors interested in health careers. UDOC runs June 17th - July 26th, with three weeks virtual and three weeks on the University of Washington Seattle Campus (COVID-19 restrictions allowing.) Deadline to apply is February 28, 2024.

Boeing Core Plus Aerospace Summer Internship: Students enrolled in Core Plus Aerospace or other aligned, hands-on manufacturing programs across Washington state are invited to apply. Hosted by Boeing, this is a paid, six-week, full-time internship. Deadline to apply is February 5, 2024.

CCW Career Connected Learning Directory: A statewide tool that connects young people to Career Explore, Career Prep, and Career Launch programs available in their communities. Also provides direct links to community-based support services to help remove barriers to participation in career connected learning.

CareerExploreNW: A community tool designed to guide people toward a job or career as well as help the region's employers create a talent pipeline. Watch interviews with local professionals who are currently working in an industry or take a virtual tour inside local companies. Lamb Weston recently added a new career spotlight; learn more about an Industrial Engineering Technician.

Washington Workforce Portal: A free, searchable database of available internships and work-based learning opportunities in Washington. Students can create a free account, upload their resume, and immediately start searching and applying! Employers can post internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing and mentorship opportunities.

Building Trades Apprenticeship: A resource for students, parents, educators and others

interested in learning about career connected learning and apprenticeships in the building

trades.

Washington Career Bridge: The popular, public-facing career and education portal created and managed by the Workforce Board also features new videos on hundreds of careers courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Take the career quiz. Then catch a video and see if a new career might be right for you!

Manufacturing in the Classroom: The AWB Institute has published an array of resources which are aimed at supporting career pathways in manufacturing and better connecting classrooms to employers.

STEM by the Numbers: Washington STEM's report series offers both statewide and region-by-region analyses of the need for STEM talent and opportunities. The data helps create a through-line from classroom to career for Washington students.

Kids Engineering Day 2024

Energy Northwest's Women in Nuclear will be hosting their 9th Annual Kids Engineering Day at Kiona-Benton Elementary School, located at 913 Horne Drive in Benton City.

This FREE event is planned to take place Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. and will offer hand-on activities focused on engineering, physics, and other science-related fields. Target age group is K-5, but students of all ages are welcome to attend!

If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, email the KED team.

Columbia Basin College hosting 2024 PAS Washington State Conference

Columbia Basin College (CBC) is hosting the Professional Agriculture Student Organization (PAS) State Conference this year on January 26th.

PAS is a one-of-a-kind national collegiate-level competition-style learning model that gives students the practical and hands-on development opportunities essential for career success. Students compete at the local, state, and national levels and are guided by faculty advisors to develop the technical, professional, and soft skills required for career success within the agriculture industry. Students will be competing in various events including, prepared speaking, impromptu speaking, and mock interviews.

Community and technical colleges that have agriculture and/or natural resources programs are encouraged to participate! If you are interested in sending your students to PAS, please connect with Kerrin Bleazard KMolton@columbiabasin.edu

The STEM Nexus Initiative has funded a pilot docent program that engages local high school students, who split their time at the observatory between outreach and career-focused activities. Outreach work includes facilitating field trips, leading booths at STEM nights, and learning how to communicate science effectively to the public. Students also work with LIGO scientists and engineers to assist with updating outdated control codes, identifying glitches in detector, and a range of assembly projects.

To learn more or to invest in The STEM Nexus Initiative, click here.

“Docents are not only given the opportunity to strengthen their soft skills, which will help in their future careers, but are also serving as role models to the younger students in our area, providing a tangible benefit for both students and docents.” - Amber Strunk, LIGO Outreach Lead

STEM Like ME!® Empower making an impact on local students

“When we provide access to high quality child care, the long term results are higher graduation rates and lower rates of incarceration. We want to solve all these other problems down the road, but the solutions are right at the beginning — we simply can’t afford NOT to invest in early learning.” -Dr. Soleil Boyd, Senior Program Officer for Early Learning, WA STEM