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By Donna Quach and Andrew Clemons
Career Connect Washington, Employment Security Department
Did you know 86% of young people in Washington aspire to post-secondary education, and 75% of jobs require a post-secondary degree or credential? Yet only 40% of Washington’s youth complete a post-secondary degree or credential by the time they’re 29.
That’s where Career Connect Washington (CCW) comes in. CCW is a statewide initiative launched in 2019 to expand career-connected learning for people of all ages, particularly young people.
Through CCW, employers, labor, education and community partners work together to build and expand work-based learning programs, such as apprenticeships. These opportunities prepare young people for fulfilling work and provide employers with the skilled talent they need.
Each February marks Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month, hosted by the national Association for Career & Technical Education. CTE Month celebrates the accomplishments of CTE programs and the importance of CTE for students of all ages.
CTE partners across Washington have leveraged Career Connect Washington grants to support programs in high‑priority industries, such as health care, IT, manufacturing, construction, clean energy, maritime, agriculture and natural resources, education, finance, and life sciences.
Students advance along career paths and on to living-wage careers.
Why career-connected learning matters
Career-connected learning helps students make informed decisions through hands-on, real-world experience.
It opens doors to high-demand, high-wage careers with little or no student debt. It also builds confidence, skills and professional networks.
It just works.
CCW funds have helped build or expand 39 registered apprenticeships and eight recognized pre-apprenticeships. An additional three apprenticeships and six pre-apprenticeships are in currently in development.
Since 2019, CCW funds have built or expanded more than 200 work-based learning programs statewide.
Additionally, more than 10,500 students have completed Career Launch programs. These are registered apprenticeships or one of the 120 new state-endorsed programs that combine a paid work-based learning experience, academic credit and post-secondary degrees or credentials. Learn more about Career Launch on the Career Connect website.
Finally, CCW programs are available in every region — rural, suburban and urban communities via local schools, community colleges, universities and community-based organizations.
In the real world: Students shine at Jefferson Healthcare Workforce Program
CCW funds supported CTE health care pathways in Chimacum and Port Townsend in Jefferson County, providing students hands-on learning experiences and an introduction to high-demand health care careers.
Starting in eighth grade, students build awareness of clinical and non-clinical roles and learn about real workplace expectations.
Students have access to health care-focused science courses with clinical educator support in the classroom, a simulation lab at Peninsula College, CPR/first aid certification, worksite learning tours and a structured job shadow program.
This work builds on Jefferson Healthcare’s broader workforce development efforts, which since 2022 have included expanding the its apprentice program, building an education center, and launching training pathways for dental assistants, sterile processing technicians, surge technicians, nurse techs, and a new registered nurse graduate residency program.
In the real world: MAC welding pathway project
CCW funds supported a statewide, industry-aligned welding and fabrication framework that schools and regions can adopt to expand access to high-demand skilled trades in maritime, agriculture and construction.
Nearly 500 educators, administrators and industry partners helped build consistent expectations and shared tools across multiple regions through the MAC (maritime, agriculture and construction) Project. Learn more about MAC on its website.
With new CCW funding for the 2025-2027 biennium, MAC will expand welding programs, support dual-credit opportunities and strengthen employer participation in pathway design.
The project aims to enroll 250 students in welding courses, with 150 students projected to earn college credit. One hundred welding instructors will receive professional development.
Educators and partners can even access the open-source curriculum, frameworks and classroom tool.
As we celebrate CTE Month, CCW and its partners remain focused on expanding quality paths for students to explore careers, build skills and move toward living-wage jobs. You can learn more about CCW programs and opportunities on the Career Connect Washington website.