Career Connect Southwest

Career Connect Southwest2023-04-26T08:17:12-07:00

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

About

About Career Connect SW

By 2021, Washington will have over 740,000 job openings. And we have the talent right here at home to fill them. Career Connect Southwest (SW) is one of nine regional career connected learning networks under the larger Career Connect Washington (CCW) as well as a partner network of Washington STEM. Formerly known in the ESD 112 region as the Southwest Washington STEM Network, we have realigned our services to more effectively meet the career development needs of all of Southwest Washington’s youth.

Career Connect SW has three local networks spanning six counties that are all committed to working with education, business and community partners to further the goals of CCW while focusing on the specific opportunities and needs of the region. Our networks help provide students with equitable access to:

  • Problem-based STEM learning with career and community connections
  • College- and career-related learning with mentors and coaches, as well as rigorous STEM dual-credit coursework with career connections
  • Work-based learning for high growth, high demand careers

By connecting local businesses and educators, we are helping to develop a skilled workforce resulting in a strong economic future for their communities.

Career Connect Southwest

Our Vision

All learners in SW Washington acquire the knowledge, skills and experiences that will unlock futures, build a globally engaged community, ensure a prosperous economy and inspire innovation throughout our region.

Our Mission

Engage all learners in challenging, relevant and integrated Career Connected Learning (CCL) that strengthens the education-to-workforce pipeline at all levels and advocates for the value and importance of CCL to our community’s future.

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 Career Readiness & STEM Initiatives

Contact

Email: vickei.hrdina@esd112.org

Christine Katon

Youth Workforce Manager | Rural Career Navigator

Chad Mullen

CCL and STEM Programs Manager

Contact

Email: chad.mullen@esd112.org

Sharon Purdue

Career Navigator

Contact

Email: sharon.purdue@esd112.org

Melanie Walker

CTE & Career Readiness Coordinator

Contact

Email: melanie.walker@esd112.org

Niki Johnston

Secretary II

Contact

Email: niki.johnston@esd112.org

Career Readiness & STEM Resources

Upcoming Career Readiness & STEM Classes

Get Social with Us

STEM at ESD 112
STEM at ESD 112March 25, 2024 at 8:29pm
Who will you nominate to be our next #STEM Rising Star 🌟???

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