Via press release, a coalition consisting the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce, Snoqualmie Valley Community Network and the Snoqualmie Valley School District announced exciting news – a new program they hope will address a growing problem in the eyes of many students.
The problem: students across the community, state, and nation say that they feel no connection between school and their future careers, while Chambers of Commerce and state organizations hear employers talking about the lack of applicants with the required skills and education to fill open jobs.
Good News: the chamber, community network and school district are teaming up to do something about it. It’s called “Career Exploration Fridays”.
Career Exploration Fridays is the name of a three-part effort to:
- Connect students with employers via on-site visits where they will see jobs in action and engage with employees to learn about options and pathways for needed skills training and/or college;
- Link teachers with employers to connect class work with practical workplace needs; and
- Assist employers in providing apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships for students and creating collaborative relationships with educators.
The program will start by providing students an opportunity to visit a variety of local and Puget Sound area businesses to learn about a wide range of jobs. Students will be able to observe jobs in action and talk with professionals about their careers. The opportunities will range from jobs which require limited skills training, to some that call for specialized certification, to others that need advanced degrees.
Organizers say the ultimate goal is to build connections between students, teachers, and businesses – to better inform all about career pathways, education options, and opportunities available for students to pursue high wage, high demand jobs.
School Board Member and Chamber President Carolyn Simpson said she found herself in a unique position, wearing both the hat of School Board Director and that of Chamber President, and envisioned a synergy and collaboration between business and education.
She commented, “Our Snoqualmie Valley Career Exploration Fridays is modeled upon similar programs in Spokane, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Oregon. The Chamber is excited to work together in this venture with the District and the Network and our local employers to bring these experiences to our Snoqualmie Valley students. We are committed to helping our students make career connections and learn more about the flexibility and options of various post high school pathways.”
Sign Up for First Career Exploration Friday
The first Career Exploration Friday is November 3, 2017. The inaugural trip will focus on the Manufacturing Industry, with visits to Snoqualmie area employers SpaceLabs Healthcare and Technical Glass Products. The two companies will open their doors to students and share information about the jobs needed to produce their products.
The program is free to students, with bus transportation also provided. Two Rivers High School Students will visit from 9AM – 11AM and Mount Si High School Students will visit from12:20PM to 2:20PM.
Interested 9 -12 grade [SVSD] students need to register HERE. Permission slips are required and are also available in each school’s Main office.
For questions or more information contact MSHS Assistant Principal, Jerry Maher, or Two Rivers Principal, Rhonda Schmidt.
Future Career Exploration Fridays will rotate through other local industries. Those visits will be scheduled and
announced later this fall.