District Workforce Development Newsletter - March 2025

Building on its mission to serve the community, the recent Discover Seattle Colleges 2025 successfully welcomed over 500 attendees seeking hope and opportunity, while significantly expanding its reach to future students through enhanced K-12 field trips. As Chancellor Rimando-Chareunsap noted, the annual open houses invite "the whole community to come inside," and this year, attendees ranging from current students exploring options, to families and displaced workers seeking new pathways experienced the best of Seattle Colleges.

This exciting series of events showcased the incredible programs, resources, and opportunities available across our colleges and sites. Designed for prospective students, community members, and industry partners, Discover Seattle Colleges highlights career pathways, academic programs, student support services, and hands-on learning experiences through campus tours, faculty engagement, and interactive sessions that bring our mission of equity, innovation, and student success to life.

A major highlight this year was the significant expansion of the K-12 Field Trip program. Building on a successful pilot program hosted at Seattle Maritime Academy last year, Discover Seattle Colleges partnered with Seattle Public Schools (SPS) colleagues, with funding support through the Gates Foundation Limitless Learning Network. This collaboration enabled Seattle Colleges to host approximately 115 high school students from 5 SPS schools at South Seattle and North Seattle College, with one more field trip for 50 middle school students planned for Seattle Central College’s Maritime Academy campus in early April. Furthermore, five current Seattle Colleges students from the Seattle Promise program were hired as interns, gaining valuable experience by assisting with the planning and execution of the field trips.

By bringing learning beyond the traditional classroom, these field trips aimed to inspire future college students. Participants engaged in hands-on activities, explored diverse college programs, and connected with industry professionals, helping them envision their own future academic and career paths.

The success of Discover Seattle Colleges, including the expanded field trip component, is a testament to the dedication of countless faculty and staff. As the Chancellor shared, "Whatever the reason [for attending], you shared your passion and stories. You guided, inspired, and displayed the best of who we are and what we have to offer." This hard work creates positive impressions that ripple through the community, strengthening our reputation and impact.

Seattle Colleges' Corporate Training Department partners with the State Board, Pallet Shelter, and other local Community Colleges to provide training for marginalized populations and strengthen a Public Benefit Corporation and Living Wage Certified Employer impacting local, national, and international communities.

Seattle Colleges Corporate Training department provides training for individuals with employment barriers through a partnership with Pallet Shelter in Everett and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges’ Job Skills Program, Everett Community College, and Green River College. Employees gain valuable transferable skills through the training and their work at Pallet Shelter that they can take to other companies as they are “up-sourced” to other manufacturing opportunities in the community.

A Business with a Mission

As a Public Benefit Company, Pallet Shelter is not only a thriving business but also a force for social change, working to reduce homelessness and create second-chance employment opportunities. The company manufactures durable aluminum and fiberglass transitional shelters designed to provide safe, dignified housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.

These quick-assembly shelters, built in just one day, form supportive shelter villages that blend privacy with community spaces to foster healing and stability.

Pallet Shelter is committed to breaking cycles of homelessness and incarceration by hiring individuals re-entering the workforce after incarceration, homelessness, or addiction recovery. Through wrap-around support services, employees receive the resources they need to succeed; both on the job and in their personal lives. This is more than employment; it’s a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency.

Boeing representatives also shared industry insights, and general updates on workforce trends. They expressed interest in hosting student site visits at the Renton facility to enhance hands-on learning experiences. Additionally, Boeing encouraged Seattle Colleges to apply for the 2025 Boeing grant cycle (opening April/May) to support student tuition, testing fees, and workforce initiatives. Future collaborations will focus on expanding avionics program connections at North Seattle College.

This visit reinforced Boeing’s commitment to working closely with South Seattle College and the broader Seattle Colleges district. Moving forward, collaboration will focus on enhancing student support, expanding hands-on learning opportunities, and easing financial barriers for students pursuing careers in aviation.

The first Deans' Council meeting at the Georgetown Campus of South Seattle College was a significant gathering, bringing together academic leaders to discuss key initiatives and institutional priorities. A major highlight of the meeting was the SBCTC (State Board for Community and Technical Colleges) training on CLNA (Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment), which provided valuable insights into workforce development and equity-driven decision-making. The training emphasized data-driven strategies to align academic programs with industry needs, ensuring that students are prepared for high-demand careers. This session also fostered collaboration among deans, reinforcing the college’s commitment to student success and community engagement.

At the Rotary Club of Seattle (Rotary 4) lunch meeting, U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland was the featured speaker, sharing insights on legislative initiatives and community issues. The event fostered meaningful discussions on workforce development, education, and economic growth.

The Korean Consul General also attended and actively engaged in conversations with Seattle Colleges representatives. Seattle Colleges played a key role in the discussions, highlighting their ongoing initiatives to support students and industry needs through career pathways, training programs, and international collaborations.

Rep. Strickland, serving Washington’s 10^th Congressional District, emphasized the importance of education, infrastructure, and economic opportunity in the region. Her participation reinforced the Rotary’s mission of bringing together leaders to address critical community challenges.

The Rotary Club of Seattle, established in 1909, is the fourth oldest Rotary club in the nation and continues to foster dialogue and service-driven initiatives.

For more information on upcoming speakers and events, visit seattlerotary.org.