Capital STEM Alliance Newsletter – November 2022

Two students sitting at a computer

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP MONTH!

RALLY

  • Mason County Consortium
    • The 20th Annual LatinX Youth Summit will be held at Evergreen College from 7:00 am – 3:00pm  on Tuesday, November 22. This college and career event is open to high school students and their educators in Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor, and Pacific counties. Registration is FREE and is now open! Find the Spanish flyer here!
  • Lewis County Thrives

Capital STEM Alliance

  • National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration where industry, labor, equity, workforce, education, and government leaders host events to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship for re-building our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting under served communities. NAW is an opportunity to highlight how Registered Apprenticeship, a proven and industry-driven training model, provides a critical talent pipeline that can help to address some of our nation’s pressing workforce challenges such as rebuilding our country’s infrastructure, addressing critical supply chain demands, supporting a clean energy workforce, modernizing our cybersecurity response, and responding to care economy issues.

There will be two events held in Washington State:

    • Western WA – On November 10 from 10 am – 3 pm, Amazon and Apprenti will celebrate their partnership with The WTIA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit, a two-day celebration of Information Technology (IT) apprentices past, present, and future! The event will highlight apprentices who have converted in 2022 and feature VIP guests and more! Address: 1595 NW Gilman Blvd. Suite 6B, Issaquah, Washington 98027. Other simultaneous western WA events can be found at here!For more information, Contact: Monica LaBadia
    • Eastern WA – On November 14, from 7 am – 5 pm, SCC is developing a 2-3 minute video chatting with construction apprentices and journey-level workers on how apprenticeship has impacted their lives. Address: 2110 N Fancher, Spokane, Washington 99208 – Host Organization: Spokane Community CollegeFind more information about National Apprenticeship Week and register for events during National Apprenticeship Week.
  • Washington Student Achievement Council invites applications for the position of: Associate Director of Washington Jobs Initiative. The Associate Director of the Washington Jobs Initiative will oversee and manage the federal Good Jobs Challenge grant award from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) designed to expand career opportunities for more Americans to reach their full potential and secure good-paying jobs while producing a skilled workforce. The Associate Director will be charged with managing all aspects of the $23.5 million award and be responsible for ensuring various components of the grant are accomplished.This position will be responsible for coordinating and convening key Career Connect Washington partners in state government, private sector, labor, non-profit, and education to implement the grant successfully. The Associate Director will be responsible for developing the scope of work, working closely with sub-awardees and contracted partners to support their progress, managing and ensuring all federal deadlines are met, coordinating ans submitting federal reports, and overseeing compliance and performance of sub-awardees and contracted partners.The Associate Director will enhance their understanding fo an/or develop expertise in work-based learning, demand-driven job training, industry sector partnership models for workforce development, apprenticeships, and other career-connected strategies to build career pathways focused on those furthest from the State’s attainment goal. This position will be integral member of the Policy team and will prepare budget and legislative proposals for Council and Governor consideration. The Associate Director reports to the Director of Policy and will work closely with the Research division and other Policy team members. Find more information and submit an application.
  • Pacific Education Institute (PEI) is looking for an enterprising and collaborative person to join our administrative team as the Technology and Data Coordinator. The Technology and Data Coordinator’s primary responsibility is to work with the Pacific Education Institute’s (PEI) team of Directors to support technology (hardware and software needs for PEI). For additional information, please contact Gail Kramer, PEI’s Finance & HR Director.
  • The Thurston County Education to Financial Stability Task Force (Task Force) brings together subject matter expertise in K-12 and post-secondary education, career and technical education, economic and workforce development, business and entrepreneurship, skilled trades, legislation, criminal justice, and public policy. The Task Force is hosted by United Way and supported by a professional facilitator/researcher/data analyst.The Task Force installed two continuing education navigators: one each for Yelm and North Thurston high schools for a period of two years. Both spend the majority of their time in the high schools or settings high school students habituate. Both navigators are bilingual (Spanish, as the most prevalent non-English language in Thurston County) and have personal and work experience in admissions.Goals include:
    • Increase FAFSA/WASFA completion/overall and by target population
    • Increase participation in dual enrollment
    • Increase 1st quarter SPSCC enrollment
    • Increase enrollment in IGNITE & Black Scholars Programs
    • Increase Fall to Fall retentionThe Task Force has already made substantial progress on these metrics and intends to expand the use of in-school  career navigators to the remainder of Thurston County high schools. Stay tuned for further developments on this important projects!
  • The Capital STEM Alliance’s 3rd Annual Cross-Sector Summit was held October 11 at Centralia College, with a theme of “Growing family wage career pathways through education, industry, and community partnerships. Leaders from K12 and post-secondary education, industry, community, workforce development, and state congress presented their insights on creating sustained cross-sector partnerships.Linked below are some of the amazing presentation slides from our speakers:Christian Bruhn – United Way Presentation
    Rose Gundersen – WA Retail Assn. Presentation
    Rise Up Resources
    WR speaks on the intersection of retail careers and STEM – Washington Retail Association
    Monica Brummer – COE Clean Energy Presentation
    William Westmoreland – PacMtn Presentation

Data Landscape Project – Through grant funding from Washington STEM, the Capital region is conducting outreach to community-based organizations, businesses, educators, state and local agencies, Tribal and Military leaders, and employers from business and industry to better understand your data needs. A informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 15 from 1-2:30 pm via zoom.

Join Zoom meeting: https://esd113.zoom.us/j/85278915118,
Meeting ID: 852 7891 5118

  • Early Math Backpacks (ages 3-8) Capital STEM Alliance Grant
    Background: TRL has partnered with Capital Region ESD 113 and the Capital STEM alliance on an Early Math Engagement pilot program. Capital STEM Alliance provided $7,500.00 in grant money with which 20 backpacks were purchased.The backpacks contain picture books, launchpads, manipulative, and a game, focusing on early math concepts. Educational materials are also included for parents and caregivers to engage in early math activities with their children. Will be promoted to home school families, daycares/preschools, and patrons with young children. Will be available to all patrons, located at the Chehalis and Shelton libraries. We will be receiving additional grant funds in 2023.
  • The Washington Youth Challenge Academy is part of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program and is a state-run residential (5 1/2 months) and post-residential (12 months) program for youth 15.5 – 18 years old (must turn 16 during class cycle) who have dropped out of high school, are significantly credit deficient, or have other risk factors. The program is FREE for youth residing in Washington State. The WYCA holds two classes each year, starting in January and July. The program incorporates a highly structured quasi-military format, emphasizing discipline and personal responsibility, in a positive, safe, and secure learning environment. Find more information here!
  • Rita Villa, TRIO and Upward Bound Director at Evergreen State College, in collaboration with the Capital STEM Alliance, held a Financial Advising Day event for Shelton, Choice and Cedar High School students and their families on Tuesday, October 25th. High school students took a tour of the campus, attended workshops on financial aid, and heard from a panel of experts about a variety of post-secondary options including apprenticeship, 2 and 4 year college expectations, athletic programs, and STEM professions. Students were able to start or complete the FAFSA or WASFA application process and get their questions about financial aid answered. Students who desired to attend Evergreen College were given assistance in applying to the college.
  • WorkSource Thurston has several apprenticeship opportunities for those interested in pursuing these post-secondary, family-wage career pathways:
    • behavioral health apprenticeship – A registered statewide apprenticeship program to meet the urgent need for vital behavioral healthcare services. This apprenticeship is currently accepting employer applications for Fall 2022 cohorts. Contact Prudence Medina for details, or (360) 786-9722 ext 207.
    • Dental Assistant Training Program – This training program will prepare you to work as a Registered Dental Assistant in the state of Washington. The training program takes one full year to complete. Sponsored by the Washington Association for Community Health (WACH). Find more information here!
    • Registered Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program – this is a 12-month program that prepares students to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) test through the National Health career Association. It has been approved by the State of Washington as an equivalent to an MA-C program at a community or technical college. Find more information here!
  • Career Connect Washington Grant Funding can help your classroom
    Funding is available for career connected learning (CCL) programs in Washington State. Organizations, known as Program Builders, may apply for funding to support the program development and implementation phases of their programs. Program Builders bridge connections between industry and educators to create and scale CCL programs along the continuum, i.e. Career Explore, Prep, and Launch programs. Prospective Program Builders should contact their Regional Network Director to learn more about the application process.Funding is also available to Endorsed Career Launch (CL) programs. CL programs can apply for both enrollment and equipment funding.Current Funding Opportunities: Funding Opportunities for Prospective Program Builders:

    • Round 10 for Program Builder Funding is expected to open in November 2022. Please check back soon for information on the RFP.
    • To receive email notifications when a CCW funding opens, sign up here.
    • For information about previous funding rounds, click here.
  • Funding Opportunities for Endorsed Career Launch Programs:
    • Round 10 for Program Builder Funding is expected to open in November 2022. Please check back soon for information on the RFP.
    • To receive email notifications when a CCW funding opens, sign up here.
    • For information about previous funding rounds, click here.
  • Future Funding Opportunities: Funding Opportunities for Prospective Program Builders:
    • Round 11 for Program Builder Funding is expected to open in March 2023.
    • To receive email notifications when a CCW funding opens, sign up here.
    • For information about previous funding rounds, click here.
  • Good Jobs Challenge Funding
    • In August 2022, Washington State Achievement Council/CCW was awarded $23.5 million through the Good Jobs Challenge to support career connected learning efforts that lead participants to paid work experience and high-quality, good-paying jobs. Please stay tuned for more information about the grant and how these funds will be deployed.
  • Apprenticeship Building America Funding:
    • In August 2022, CCW was awarded $5.6 million through Apprenticeship Building America to expand registered apprenticeship and recognized per-apprenticeship programs in high-demand industries. Please stay tuned for more information about the grant and how these funds will be deployed.