NCESD Receives Funding to Provide Students Career Opportunities

North Central Educational Service was chosen by Career Connect Washington to receive $200,000 in funding to craft a regional network with the goal of expanding Career Connected Learning opportunities. The Career Connected Learning opportunities would serve as a means of connecting students with high demand and high wage careers in the state.

"We really want to see students have actual careers and that they have an idea of what kind of careers they have in their own backyard," said Sue Kane, Director of STEM Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships.

The initiative is fueled by objectives like convening cross industry partners, producing more youth career opportunities and educators and industry leaders joining forces to develop programs that insert students into the job field successfully.

"As they're going through high school and looking for post secondary training opportunities whether that's apprenticeship or college..whatever that pathway may look like, we want them to be able to make informed decisions about the careers that are available to each student, both locally and across the state as well," said Kane.

Apple STEM Network is spearheading the Career Connected Learning work in North Central Washington along with SkillSource and will be governed by a board filled with representatives from colleges, local municipalities, K-12 educators, community based organizations and the industry. The goal is to expand the work across Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties.

"The idea of setting up a local career connected network is that anybody can get involved, whether you are a representative from a community based organization or an educator, any contribution you can lend is helpful and useful," said Kane.

Help can come in the form of an hour of time spent with students in the classroom, hosting an intern or serving as a mentor.