Over 1,000 high school students from across our region got to experience hands-on activities in the trades at the first-ever Try-A-Trade event hosted by the Capital STEM Alliance at ESD 113 and the South Sound Washington Building & Construction Trades Council.
This event (see photos) brought together various trade and construction organizations. It allowed students to get hands-on trade experience from operating cranes to steelworking, building walls, and more—all while meeting and learning from those who work in the field.
Lorie Thompson, Director of Capital STEM Alliance, said, “Under the guidance of trade journey level experts, students experienced a variety of hands-on construction trades, including bending conduit, setting concrete, roofing a structure, operating a skip loader, and many more activities.”
In addition, representatives from each of the trades were present to educate students about the benefits of enrolling in a trade apprenticeship. “This can be a viable option for young people who are undecided about the costs associated with post-secondary education, or for those who want to earn a family-wage income.”
Thank you to our participating school districts and education centers: Aberdeen High School, Centralia High School, Elma High School, GRuB, Harbor Learning Center, Hoquiam High School, Lake Quinault School, Mary M. Knight School, Montesano Jr./Sr. High School, Morton Jr./Sr. High School, Napavine Jr./Sr. High School, Naselle Jr./Sr. High School, Oakville High School, Ocosta Jr./Sr. High School, Olympic Academy, Raymond Jr./Sr. High School, Rochester High School, Shelton High School, South Bend High School, Timberline High School, Toledo High School, W.F. West High School, White Pass Jr./Sr. High School, Willapa Valley Middle & High School, Yelm High School, and our homeschoolers and individual students!
The Capital STEM Alliance continues to connect students with career-connected learning opportunities, including apprenticeships, internships, and college pathways. This event would not have been possible without our incredible partners who volunteered their time, staff, materials, equipment, and expertise to help open doors for our young learners. Thank you to all the trades, companies, and organizations that came out to show our students what’s out there.
