Capital STEM Alliance Newsletter – May 2023

Teens sitting at a desk writing on a notebook

RALLY

Mi Chiantla Presents: A Night of Celebration and Community. Please save the date and join us on May 19 for our inaugural fundraiser. Funds will support programs centering joy and holistic community engagement-based drug use prevention through STEM Education, Music, Arts, and other Recreational Activities. Festivities will be held on May 19, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm at ASHHO Cultural & Job Training Center, 5757 Littlerock Rd SW Tumwater, WA. For more information, please visit the Mc Chiantla website at Mi Chiantla – Promoting academic and technical excellence.

Washington Youth Challenge Academy (WYCA) is conducting mock interviews for their next class. We continue to accept applications for the next class, July 17, 2023. Applications can be found on our website. Completing an application early offers the greatest opportunity for admission to the program. Applications will be accepted for the July class until the class is filled. Any application received or completed after the July class is filled will move to the January 15, 2024 class. Interview-Selection Days are July 10, 11, 12 in Moses Lake at Big Bend Community College and at the WYCA campus in Bremerton. To be invited to participate in an Interview-Selection Day, youths need to complete the application process. Participation is mandatory. Presentations at your school or organization are available. Click here to access the newsletter.

Mason County Consortium

Job Opportunity

Where: Coastal Community Action Program

Title: Housing & Community Services Director

Location: Aberdeen, WA

Website: www.coastalcap.org

Description: The Director is responsible for the day-to-day oversight and management of the contracts assigned to the Housing and Community Services Department, including providing supervision, support, mentorship, and direction for the program staff. Assures program compliance with all applicable regulations, requirements, and contracts, as well as cost control and quality assurance for the program. Responsible for applicable grant and application writing and development of new programs to fulfill agency and client needs.

Lewis County Thrives

Cascade Pacific Action Alliance is conducting a region-wide survey to better understand the landscape of social services available in communities across the region. Over the last six years, a large portion of CPAA’s work has been the Medicaid Transformation Project Waiver (MTP). This year is focused on community exploration as we await the Health Care Authority’s release of MTP 2.0.

CPAA recognizes the critical role that community-focused organizations play in providing services and support to individuals and families, and we value your input and expertise in this process. By participating in this survey, you will help us identify gaps in service and opportunities for collaboration and contribute to the development of a regional network dedicated to improving health and well-being for all. To access the survey, please click here.

Broadband Community Surveys – The Lewis County Broadband Action Team (LCBAT) is a volunteer community group formed to bring reliable affordable Broadband to all Lewis County residents and businesses. The LCBAT is drafting a county Broadband Access Plan and a Digital Equity Plan by June 2023. The Plans will allow Washington to compete for over $65 billion in funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other laws. These Plans will allow Lewis County the opportunity to receive significant broadband funding, so your participation is very important. To gather information, the LCBAT is asking for community stakeholders to complete a few short surveys to assist in identifying the existing infrastructure and assets and, more importantly, the gaps in internet service, whether to geographic regions or to vulnerable populations in Lewis County. Visit broadband.wsu.edu for additional information. If you have questions or need support to complete the surveys, please contact Willie Painter. Access the surveys here.

STEM NETWORK

The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship offers three pathways to high-demand careers in Washington state. Not sure where to start? Find the right scholarship program for you, and then read the information below to get started.

Do you need more money to pay for tuition or living expenses? The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship will give you $1,500 per quarter until you complete an eligible trade, STEM, or healthcare credential through the Career and Technical scholarship! Rural students may have access to thousands more in flexible financial aid. If you’re a Washington resident attending a community and technical college, apply before June 6, 2023, to receive funding starting this fall. Visit waopportunityscholarship.org to learn more.

Find a list of our eligible programs here.

Students can find the application here.

Applications for the Graduate Scholarship are being accepted until May 15, 2023, at 11:59 pm PT. The Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) supports Washington students on their path to high-demand trade, STEM, and healthcare occupations. To be eligible, scholars must enroll in an approved program, such as welding, manufacturing, or IT, at one of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges or with an approved apprenticeship program sponsor. Scholars are eligible to receive up to $1,500 each quarter for the duration of their associate degree, certificate, or apprenticeship program. These scholarship funds are flexible and can be used to cover tuition, fees, and other costs of attendance, such as housing, transportation, food, and more. Need more information? Please click here to access the flyer.

Career Connected Learning Regional Network

A new Supervisor Certificate program is now being offered by The Evergreen State College. It is designed to help workers become successful frontline supervisors and managers. The program was developed in consultation with small and medium size businesses leaders in our region and developed in collaboration with the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council Business and Sector Engagement Committee

Committee members are representatives of Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Councils, Industry Associations, Merchant Groups, and Visitors Bureaus that support business in Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties. PacMtn Workforce Development Council & the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce.

Students will learn core management, leadership, and HR skills that are essential for becoming successful frontline supervisors.

Here are some topics covered:

  • Decision making and delegation
  • Human resource management
  • Professional and interpersonal communication
  • Diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Yelm CTE, in partnership with the Yelm Chamber, City of Yelm, ESD 113’s Capital STEM Alliance, and Pac Mtn Worksource, is hosting a Hiring Event at the Yelm Community Center on May 2 from 1-7 pm PT. This is free to any business. If you are interested in having a table at this event for your business, please click here. Students who are interested in attending this event can visit the flyer to register. Or you can register here.

New Market Skills Center will be holding its annual Construction Career Fair – Try a Trade – on Thursday, May 4, from 8:30 am – 1:00 pm at the New Market Skills Center, 7299 New Market Street SW, Tumwater, WA. This event is for any student who may be interested in pursuing a career in the construction industry. No experience is needed to attend! For more information, please contact Megan Fitzpatrick.

The Washington Workforce Association (WWA) is excited to announce our upcoming 2023 Fall Conference: WWA Workforce: Stronger Together. We’re keeping the theme and will gather local area leaders, industry experts, economic development professionals, workforce professionals, and elected officials. This multiple day event will focus on solution-oriented workshops and dialogue that address the new and growing demands currently facing our workforce system.

This is the ultimate opportunity in Washington State for thought leaders to connect, share ideas, and celebrate the successes of the workforce system. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend the State’s premier workforce event.

When: Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 – Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023

Where: Tacoma Downtown Marriott, 1538 Commerce Street, Tacoma, WA 98402

Website: Click here to bookmark our Fall Conference page to stay up to date with new information! The Call for Presentations and registration will open in late spring.

Questions: If you have questions or need accommodations to attend the meeting, please contact Event Producers at 425-420-1680.

Providence Health Care has many career opportunities! Please click on these links for program details and career pathways tools:

Expanding Your Horizons is hosting a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math (STEAM) conference for female-identified and gender non-conforming students in the 6th, 7th & 8th grade on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) from 9:00 am – 2:10 pm. Please visit the flyer for more information or to register.

South Puget Sound Community College is looking for employers to participate in their Annual Career Day!

South Puget Sound Community College’s (SPSCC) WSECU Center for Career Services is looking for businesses to participate in their upcoming career fair. This event will host numerous employers and agencies to promote their career opportunities to our students, alumni, and community members in a variety of career pathways. The employer registration fee is $90 for non-profit and $140 for public/state government/educational organizations. Registration and payment must be completed by May 1 unless special arrangements have been made in advance. If you have any additional questions, please contact our office at 360-596-5567 or [email protected].

The Economic Alliance of Lewis County is hosting Dr. Bill Conerly, who will present his economic forecast for the county on Wednesday, May 17, from 1-3 pm in person, at the Juice Box, 216 S Tower Ave, Centralia, WA 98531. Pre-registration is $25 per person. For more information, please contact Dolly at 360-748-0114.