VPS Career & Technical Education Department (CTE) offers many opportunities for Career Connected Learning, including Career Choices Internships. Juniors and Seniors have the opportunity to spend 60-hours on-site, learning about a particular career or industry they thing they might be interested in.

This Summer, 2024 Columbia River High School and Advanced Manufacturing Program graduate, Devon McFarland, had the opportunity to intern with local CNC machine shop, RS Machine, Inc. (https://rsmachineinc.com/) Devon learned how to use almost every machine in the shop, picked up skills very quickly, and made such a great impression on the RS Machine, Inc team, they hired him immediately upon completion of his internship! Due to the skills he learned in the Advanced Manufacturing Program, Devon was able to jump right in to the work with some existing knowledge and experience. Devon plans to continue to work at RS Machine, Inc in the mornings, while attending the Welding Program at Clark College, so he can refine and gain his skills. We are so excited to see what a future in the trades has in store for Devon!

Devon is a great example of how Career Connected Learning experiences are so effective at helping students decide what they want to do after graduation, and connecting local employers to our graduating students. We are working to build up our communities and our competent workforce. Programs such as this help students see the value and career potential of skilled trades, and are helping local employers replace a retiring workforce.

The Advanced Manufacturing Program at Fort Vancouver Center for International Studies is a Washington State approved Pre-Apprenticeship, Career Launch Program. This means, we are preparing students for direct entry into the skilled workforce upon graduation. Partnerships with local employers and shops allow us to offer meaningful career learning experiences for students, and ensure we are providing the most up to date and relevant education to effectively prepare students to enter specific industries.

For more information about the Advanced Manufacturing Program and all other VPS Schools and Programs of Choice, please visit http://www.vansd.org/choices.

For more information about VPS Career Connected Learning Programs, please visit https://vansd.org/programs-items/career-connected-learning/