Career connected learning is a series of skill-based programs that help young people connect directly to education, credentials, and career opportunities.
Programs such as career fairs, career and technical education courses (CTE), recognized pre-apprenticeships, internships, and Registered Apprenticeships offer reliable ways to learn about different careers through a combination of in-the-classroom and on-the-job experiences.
Washington state is forecasting thousands of new job openings over the next decade. With the rising demand for post-high school credentials in high-paying career fields, it’s more important than ever for young people to develop real-world skills that will open doors for them to succeed and access opportunity on their own terms.
Career connected learning is a series of skill-based programs that help young people connect directly to education, credentials, and career opportunities. Programs such as career fairs, career and technical education courses (CTE), recognized pre-apprenticeships, internships, and Registered Apprenticeships offer reliable ways to learn about different careers through a combination of in-the-classroom and on-the-job experiences.
Washington state is forecasting thousands of new job openings over the next decade. With the rising demand for post-high school credentials in high-paying career fields, it’s more important than ever for young people to develop real-world skills that will open doors for them to succeed and access opportunity on their own terms.
PHOTO COURTESY OF AJAC
Career-connected learning in action
Career connected learning programs can start as early as elementary school (examples: job fairs, in-class speakers) and go beyond high school and into early adulthood (examples: internships, Registered Apprenticeships).
Getting ready for life’s opportunities and challenges happens through three levels of career connected learning programs for young people to Explore, Prepare, and Launch themselves into college and careers.
Career Explore
Career ExploreKids as young as kindergarten think about what they are going to be when they grow up. Career Explore programs provide early exposure to potential careers, helping students learn about different kinds of work and how their interests are connected to jobs in various fields through activities such as career fairs and worksite tours.
Career PrepCareer Launch
Career LaunchCareer Launch combines paid worksite experience with classroom instruction and culminates in a valuable credential or progress toward a degree. By participating in Registered Apprenticeships and other Career Launch programs in K-12, CTC, and four-year college systems, students and young people can earn while they learn and become competitive job candidates.
Join Us
Career Connect Washington’s statewide network supports a positive future for Washington’s young people from K-12 through college and beyond by creating and promoting career connected learning experiences. Learn more about our current partners and how your work might fit in.
We recommend all new-to-CCW partners start by connecting with their Regional Network Director and/or Career Connected Learning (CCL) Coordinator.