Career Connected Learning

Career Connected Learning2026-06-17T13:42:36-07:00

Meeting the career development needs of all of Southwest Washington’s youth

About

About Career Connected Learning

By 2030, more than 70% of high-demand, family-sustaining wage jobs available in our state will require postsecondary degree credentials; 68% of those will require postsecondary STEM credentials or foundational STEM literacy. We are network of system actors in the ESD112 region that work to ensure that our cradle to career system is poised to meet this demand. This strategic plan represents the common vision and mission of our 30 school districts, three institutes of higher education, workforce boards and over 80 employers and community-based organizations.

We believe that:

  • Preparing students to graduate STEM Literate, with the knowledge and skills to succeed in future-ready careers; and with a solid Career Connected Learning foundation is a primary catalyst for impacting the region’s economic future;
  • Multiple postsecondary education and training pathways exist to meet the needs of employers as well as potential employees and that these pathways are not currently accessible to all students; and
  • A commitment by the major stakeholders in each region to address the college and career readiness gap through collective impact is essential, as no one entity can tackle complex systems-level problems.

Who to Contact

Vickei Hrdina

Director, College and Career Pathways and Partnerships

Phone: 360-952-3427

Email: vickei.hrdina@esd112.org

Kim Black

Career Pathways and Partnerships

Phone: 360-218-2694

Email: kimberly.black@esd112.org

Services

Our Services

Classroom Career Connected Learning

We provide opportunities for students to consider the vast range of employment possibilities in their community and beyond. Career fairs, work site tours, flipped internships, and guest speakers are all ways workforce partners can support student learning by providing volunteers, space and time to support career connected learning.

Sector Specific Workgroups with Education and Workforce

We bring K-12 and postsecondary partners together with employers and workforce partners to strategize ways to connect students with in-demand, sector specific career pathways.

Career Pathways Community of Practice

We host communities of practice for educators and workforce partners to discuss and learn ways to align classroom to career pathways for students.

Educator Professional Development

We lead professional development sessions for educators around career pathways, labor market demand, and postsecondary opportunities.

Meetings

2026-2027 Meetings

For calendar invitations to these meetings, please email Kim Black: kimberly.black@esd112.org

Career Pathways Community of Practice

A community of practice for educators and workforce partners to discuss and learn way to align classroom to career pathways for students.

Meeting Dates

September 30
December 16
February 24
May 26

Advanced Manufacturing

A sector specific workgroup to align on K-12, postsecondary and employer career pathway initiatives for SW Washington. This workgroup meets the first Thursday of the month from 9:30-10:30am.

Meeting Dates

September 3
October 1
November 5
December 3
January 7
February 4
March 4
April 1
May 6
June 3

Healthcare

A sector specific workgroup to align on K-12, postsecondary, and employer career pathway initiatives for SW Washington. This workgroup meets the second Tuesday of the month from 9:30-10:30am.

Meeting Dates

September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8
January 12
February 9
March 9
April 13
May 11
June 8

Educator Resources

Educator Resources

Career Pathway Maps

These are regional career pathway maps for educators, families and advisors to use for career mapping. The pathway maps were designed with input from K-12 and postsecondary educators and workforce partners specifically in SW Washington.

Download Maps

Guest Speakers

Contact us if you are looking for an industry guest speaker to come into the classroom and share more about their career pathway. Guest speakers help students make connections between what they are learning in class and possible career opportunities.

Flipped Internships

A library of flipped internship resources is available to support educators to incorporate project-based learning into the classroom. Flipped internships challenge students to solve industry related problems with the support of a mentor. Mentors come into the classroom to support students with their research, problem solving, and presentations.

View Materials

Educator Professional Development

We frequently host professional development opportunities for educators to learn more about career pathways labor market demand, and postsecondary opportunities. Please check pdEnroller for upcoming sessions.

View pdEnroller

nPower Girls

nPower Girls is an after school program for girls in 4th-6th grade to inspire them to pursue STEM careers. The goal of nPower Girls is to introduce young girls to career opportunities in STEM fields by connecting them directly to women who are professionals in STEM careers. We do this through a monthly after-school mentoring workshop with a woman professional in STEM leading the girls through an industry-specific design challenge.

Learn More

Program Contacts

Contact Us

Vickei Hrdina

Director, College and Career Pathways and Partnerships

Phone: 360-952-3427

Email: vickei.hrdina@esd112.org

Kim Black

Career Pathways and Partnerships

Phone: 360-218-2694

Email: kimberly.black@esd112.org

College & Career Pathway Resources

Upcoming Career Readiness & STEM Classes

View Catalog

Get Social with Us

ESD 112
ESD 112October 15, 2026 at 4:00pm
We are excited to welcome leaders who stepped into superintendent roles across our ESD 112 region for the 2026-27 school year.

Today, we are welcoming Doug Dearden. Dearden returns to a familiar role in Trout Lake School District, a community he has been part of for nearly 40 years. He first joined the district in 1987 as a history and physical education teacher before becoming superintendent in 2003. He served in that role until retiring in 2019 and has now returned to lead the district.

Dearden’s priorities include supporting the whole child, providing innovative learning opportunities, developing and retaining strong staff, responsibly managing district resources and maintaining close connections with the Trout Lake community.

Meet all of the new superintendents in our ESD newsroom: www.esd112.org/news/meet-the-new-superintendents-2026/
ESD 112
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SERVING CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES FOR OVER 50 YEARS

ESD 112 equalizes educational opportunities for learning communities through innovative partnerships, responsive leadership, and exceptional programs.

Contact ESD 112

2500 NE 65th Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98661

Call: (360) 750–7500
Contact ESD 112

Language

ESD 112 acknowledges and honors the traditional lands of the Cowlitz and Chinook Tribes, Lower Columbia Peoples, Shoalwater Bay Tribe and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, on which our school districts reside in what is now Southwest Washington. We pay respect to the elders and caretakers that have stewarded these lands throughout generations and that are still here today.

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Related Programs

Math Anywhere

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