Career Connect Washington Win
The Spokane STEM Network, housed within Greater Spokane Inc., has been selected by Career Connect Washington as one of only 9 recipients to receive a $100,000 grant to develop or enhance Career Connect Regional Networks across the state.
Career Connect Washington was created by Governor Jay Inslee, with support and funding by the Washington State Legislature, to provide our state’s young people with expanded opportunities to gain real-world experience through a fully integrated career connected learning system. Business, labor, educators, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and many others have come together to create a strategy for making these opportunities available in every part of our state to every student as part of their academic journey.
“The Spokane STEM Network is excited to be awarded this opportunity to work with our state and regional partners to grow economic vitality in the region by expanding opportunities for students and for business to develop a more robust talent pipeline.” said Meg Lindsay, Executive Director for Spokane STEM.
Working with Regional Networks across the state, Spokane STEM will play an integral role in scaling regional, cross-industry partnerships that lead to expansion of opportunities for Washington youth. The Regional Network will convene and support Career Connect Intermediaries and other local partners in the region, help them achieve their outcomes related to Career Launch endorsement and participation of young people in Career Launch, Career Preparation, and Career Exploration and Awareness activities, and ensure equitable inclusion of youth of color, low income youth, youth from rural communities and youth with disabilities. This work will benefit both students in the Eastern Washington region who face greater barriers to opportunity as well as the business community looking to recruit a new generation of workers. GSI’s Career Connected Learning Manager, Cassidy Peterson, working in tandem with the NEWESD101’s Career Connect Coordinator and regional Intermediaries is the designated lead for the Network.
The following organizations have been named as Career Connect Regional Networks, and involve STEM Networks as noted:
- Workforce Snohomish (supporting partners include Snohomish STEM and Skagit STEM Networks)
- North Central Educational Service District 171 (led by the Apple STEM Network)
- Educational Service District 112 (led by the Southwest Washington STEM Network)
- Educational Service District 105 (backbone organization of the South Central STEM Network)
- Capital Region Educational Service District 113 (led by the Capital STEAM Network)
- Washington State STEM Education Foundation (includes the Mid-Columbia STEM Network)
- Washington Alliance for Better Schools
- South Kitsap School District # 402 (led by the West Sound STEM Network)
- Greater Spokane Incorporated (led by the Spokane STEM Network)
To learn more or get involved, contact Cassidy Peterson at cpeterson@greaterspokane.org or (509) 321-3621.
