Career Connected Learning

Two Female Students Building Machine In Science Robotics Or Engineering Class

CCL Regional Network

Capital STEM Alliance logo

Bridging the Gap Between Students and Their Futures

Career Connected Learning (CCL) stems from House Bill 2158 legislature and seeks to ensure that all Washington students have multiple pathways toward employment and economic self-sufficiency. By connecting and creating partnerships, our districts, industry, government, and institutions of higher education can build opportunities that expose K-12 students and young adults to a variety of careers and real-world experiences.

CCL is supported by a statewide network that seeks to provide data-informed technical assistance while building equitable student access and improving student outcomes.

Connecting Districts and Employers

Career Connected Learning Administrators connect, convene and support K-12 districts, businesses, military partners, and colleges. Our goal is to support Awareness, Exploration, Preparation, and Career Launch activities within school districts throughout the region.

Graduation Pathway Options

The Career Connected Learning Framework

Career Awareness
Learning about work

  • career fairs
  • worksite tours
  • guest speakers

Career Exploration
Learning for work

  • informational interviews
  • networking events
  • job shadowing

Career Preparation
Learning through work

  • career and technical education (CTE) courses
  • on-site internships
  • youth apprenticeship

Career Launch
Learning in work

  • clinical experience
  • on-the-job training
  • apprenticeship

In 2017, Governor Inslee designated $6.4 million in federal funds from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to support Career Connect Washington, an initiative designed to connect 100,000 students over the next five years with employer internships, registered apprenticeships, and other career connected learning to prepare them with high-demand jobs. The Career Connect Pacific Mountain coalition received $977,000 to engage students in career connected learning.

This approach to learning puts young people on the pathway to a postsecondary credential and a successful career. We help students access internships, job shadowing opportunities, and technical training programs so they're ready for high-demand, family-wage jobs.

STEM Network

Students need strong science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) skills to pursue Washington’s highest demand career pathways — from building airplanes to monitoring the health of apple crops to researching cancer treatments. Capital Region ESD 113 and Washington STEM created the Capital Region STEAM Network to close credential attainment gaps. The network works with business leaders and educators to link Washington students with STEM careers.

The goal of the network is to increase the number of local students who become STEM professionals in a variety of sectors in our region, especially students of color, young women, rural and remote youth, and students from low-income families.

RALLY

The Regional Alliance for Youth (RALLY) is a collaborative, region-wide effort to support children and youth from cradle to career for life-long success. We believe that bringing people together to work on behalf of children and youth is crucial to making a difference in our communities. Our coordinated efforts stem from our common goals and shared vision of every individual building a positive future for themselves and their community.

Our Goals

  • Increase high school graduation rates.
  • Increase enrollment in post-secondary education.
  • Promote strong interpersonal and career skills development.

Consortium Partners

  • Grays Harbor Cradle to Career Consortium
  • Lewis County Thrives
  • Mason Consortium for Student Success
  • Thurston Thrives Partners

Resources

News

  • Construction on the Southwest Washington Flexible Training (SWFT) Center is underway!
  • The Baccalaureate Scholarship application is open! This scholarship provides up to $22,500 in financial aid and access to career-launching support services for students pursuing high-demand STEM and health care majors.
  • The State of Innovation Challenge is accepting submissions through March 4. Learn more about this exciting opportunity here!
  • From our partners at The Construction Center of Excellence: "The WE BUILD WASHINGTON! Construction Video Contest, hosted by the Construction Center of Excellence is a state-wide competition inviting construction craft students to showcase their building projects." High school students may enter and win scholarships. Entries are due December 9.
  • Family Education and Support Services is offering a free 6-week training for parents and caregivers.
    • Classes begin Monday, November 9 from 6:00-8:00pm. Classes are every Monday through December 14.
    • Call 360–754–7629 to register.
    • pdf flyer
  • The Washington Workforce Association (WWA) is seeking information from organizations with the capacity to provide virtual trainings for the staff and customers of Washington’s public workforce development system that will enhance the function, reach, and impact of the system during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Letters of Interest must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on November 13, 2020. Questions should be submitted to [email protected] using the procedure outlined in the RFI.

The 2021-22 FAFSA and WASFA are now available!

  • The colleges that students apply to will use the information they provide on their financial aid applications to determine their eligibility for the scholarship.
  • More information regarding the scholarship requirements

State of Innovation Case Challenge (Sign-up now)

Join middle school, high school, and Open Doors classrooms; along with student and community organizations from across Washington State in tackling some of the state’s toughest challenges.  Starting in November, we will ask students to help the state solve problems like…

  • How can we find a better way to get food from farms to homes and food banks in need?
  • How can we keep teenagers mentally healthy while social distancing?
  • How could our urban centers foster community connections while keeping residents virus-free?

The State of Innovation Challenge aims to connect the content teachers are already teaching in class to the problems students see all around them, and encourages students to use their imaginations and skills to create their own solutions.

For questions/info contact: Julia Reed ([email protected]; 202-445-8252)

More information 

  • Who: The State of Innovation Challenge is a partnership of the Washington STEM Education Alliance, OSPI, WSAC, ESD, Career Connect Washington, and the Governor’s office.  It is open to students in grades 7-12, students in Open Doors programs, and WIOA-eligible youth. It is also open to Career Technical Student Organizations and community-based youth programs.
  • When: The Challenge will be open November-February. The Challenge Cases will be released in November, and throughout the Challenge students will have opportunities to join interactive discussions with industry leaders and learn about post-secondary pathways tied to the case topics.
  • How: The Challenge is customizable depending on the needs of teachers and students.  There are ways to use the Challenge cases to engage students for an hour, a week, a month, or an entire quarter.  Students can choose to submit their answers to our statewide response forum, where the most creative solutions will be recognized at the end of the challenge event in March 2021.
  • Support: Teachers and program leaders will have access to videos introducing the cases and an instructional guide with topical research to support lesson plan creation. Sample lesson plans will be available in the “lesson bank,” an open educational resource where teachers can also upload their own plans and projects to share with their peers statewide. Teachers will also be able to access one-on-one support throughout the challenge period.
  • STEM/RALLY News September 2020
  • The Capital Region STEM Network has partnered with the Puget Sound Estuarium to create short (9-12 minute) videos to teach students about aspects of the Puget Sound marine environment! These videos are appropriate for grades 5 through 10, and are aligned with STEM standards, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Ocean Literacy Frameworks.New videos are added weekly. Topics include ocean acidification, understanding tides, food webs and plankton, and many more! Most videos are paired with student worksheets and materials, to create complete lesson plans.The Puget Sound Estuarium is also producing weekly videos profiling their staff, board, and volunteer members. These videos provide students with insight into what scientists really do, and how they prepared for their profession.All videos can be accessed at the Puget Sound Estuarium’s YouTube site.
  • Funds to support youth and young adults now available through the Washington State Student and Youth Homelessness COVID-19 Response Fund
  • The Moore Wright Group is partnering with Toys for Tots to safely distribute toys to local kids.
  • Applications are now accepted for the Career and Technical Scholarship awarded by Washington State Opportunity Scholarship. The Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) supports Washington students on their path to high-demand trade, STEM and health care occupations.
  • Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County is currently accepting child care applications for any child under 18 years, whether they are members or nonmembers.
  • United Way of Lewis County is currently updating all community resources for the 2-1-1 website and call center. If you are a community-based organization, please contact Ryan Cole of United Way to add or update your organization’s information. The 2-1-1 website and call center are open at this time and can direct callers to appropriate resources regionwide.
  • United Way of Lewis County is looking for volunteers! If you are interested and able, please visit their website following link for more information or to sign up.

Contact Us

 Lorie Thompson
Regional Administrator, Capital STEM Alliance
 818-970-4581
 Cecily Kiester
Regional Administrator, Career Connected Learning
 360-209-2160
Kat Santana
Career Connected Learning Specialist
Career Connected Learning