Meeting the career development needs of all of Southwest Washington‘s youth
About
About Career Connect SW
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. Career Connect SW is a 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.
Our Vision
Each student graduates STEM Literate with clear pathways from school to prosperous career opportunities that are not limited by social, cultural, gender, racial, geographic or economic factors.
Our Mission
Career Connect SW engages with K12, higher education, business, industry and the community to expand the skilled workforce by supporting opportunities for students to explore and prepare for indemand and sustaining careers in every community in the ESD 112 region. .
Services
Our Services
We organize our programming and support along the Washington Career Connected Learning Framework, which begins in Kindergarten and supports students through high school and into their chosen career pathway.
Program Contacts
Contact Us
Vickei Hrdina
Director of K12- Workforce-Higher Ed Partnerships
Phone: 360-952-3427
Email: vickei.hrdina@esd112.org
Upcoming Career Readiness & STEM Classes
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Career Readiness & STEM News
Horizons advisors reflect on successful first year of partnership
In August, College and Career Readiness Advisors (CCRAs) gathered for a week-long retreat to reflect on their first year with the Horizons Advising Partnership and prepare for the year ahead. Generously funded by the [...]
ESD 112 honors STEM excellence with 2025 Rising Star and Regional Partner Awards
Educational Service District 112 (ESD 112) proudly celebrated the future of STEM innovation on the evening of June 9th during the annual STEM Rising Star and Regional Partner Awards. The event, held at the ESD [...]
Project VOICE celebrates student leadership and community impact
Project VOICE culminated in the Community Share event on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Fort Vancouver High School, where students presented their ideas and discoveries about what makes a healthy, vibrant community. Students projects [...]
Building a brighter future: DCYF honors ESD 112’s MyJOB program staff
In April, three ESD 112 employees were recognized with a commendation and coin on behalf of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) for providing exemplary support to programs improving the lives [...]
ESD 112 equalizes educational opportunities for learning communities through innovative partnerships, responsive leadership, and exceptional programs.