As a K-12 school district in the Northwest Educational Service District (NWESD 189), we can speak to the additional value that the Career Connect NW has provided. Here are a few examples:

Career Pathways:

● Facilitation and/or participation in CTE Consortium meetings including representatives from secondary CTE programs as well as postsecondary programs in Island, San Juan, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom Counties to discuss regional CTE program alignment, elements of career connected learning (Explore/Prep/Launch), and expansion of CTE dual credit opportunities.

● Collaboration of CTE Dual Credit alignment with regional CTE programs and community colleges, resulting in best practices, recommendations, and additional articulations in some counties for Business Math and Computer Science.

Industry connection and alignment:

● Curation of career speakers for classroom and event use; over 90+ employer representatives have been onboarded to CCWNW as speakers. 

● Recruitment of local employers and community-based organizations to develop career connected learning experiences for students.

● Partnership through two Economic Development Organizations on regional Workforce Summits in collaboration with school district representation to discuss career connected learning opportunities and engage local business and industry.

● Coordination of business/industry tours for school districts.

● Participation in CTE Advisory meetings.

● CCW Program Builder grant support.

Programming and Events:

● Facilitation of the WAVE (Washington Apprenticeship Vocational Education) Tour in April 2023, providing the opportunity for students from over 25 High Schools and programs in the 5-county region (approximately 450 students total) engaged in small group hands-on activities that introduced them to apprenticeship and various trades.

● Coordination of ongoing NW Rural CTE Network Professional Development series, providing opportunities that highlight career connected learning programming, resources, pathways, and curriculum alignment specifically for rural school districts. 

● Facilitation of the “Inclusive High School & Beyond: Exploring Best Practices, Tools, and Hope” event in May 2023 in partnership with NWESD Migrant Education, which focused on understanding the components of the High School and Beyond Plan, graduation pathways, and the CCW career connected learning continuum with a focus on serving students from underserved populations. 

● Facilitation of career connected learning programming that brings local STEM professionals into the classrooms for middle and high school students throughout the region for career awareness and exploration.

● Providing career exploration, resume, and career fair workshop support for high schools to increase awareness of and exploration for high-demand careers in the region.

Click on the logos below to learn more about our K-12 partners.