Sponsored by Oregon Career Pathways, this 4-day event allowed 26 students aged 14-16 the opportunity to explore Career Technical Education (CTE) career paths available at Chemeketa Community College. Students could choose two options—a morning session and afternoon session- at the Salem campus from the following options—Allied Health (HIM Billing and Coding, Anesthesia Technology, Dental Assisting and Behavioral Health), Horticulture, Computer Information Systems, Entrepreneurship, Machining, and Early Childhood Education. At the Brooks campus, students could opt for an all-day experience with Diesel Technology.
Students from 10 schools across Yamhill, Polk and Marion counties participated in the event, which targeted 14-16 year olds. This focus was based on a needs assessment conducted in Fall 2022, which identified a significant need for Career Connected Learning (CCL) programming at younger grade levels. The assessment also highlighted a lack of available programming for rural students, leading to targeted outreach to rural schools within the Chemeketa service region. To ensure equity and access for all participants, the event provided grab-and-go breakfast and lunch, along with language services for those who needed them in order to provide equity and access for all.
Katie Castillo, Chemeketa’s CCLSN, has been working with Willamette Workforce Partnership’s Healthcare Sector Contractor, Jeanine Stice and Business Services Director, Dean Craig, on an exciting new project! The “Faces of Healthcare” video project aims to shed a light on healthcare careers that students can get their start in by enrolling in programs at Chemeketa Community College. Recruiting for these videos started in Fall 2023, with a goal of finishing by Spring 2024. Chemeketa’s CCLSN cannot wait to share these videos with youth interested in health careers in the region!
Dear Industry Partners,
Being based locally is an asset! Strengthen your community partnerships by reaching out to your
Career Connected Systems Navigator
or
Small Business Development Center. For further guidance, contact your
Workforce Development Board,
STEM Hub Director, or Amy Caulder – your regional Career Connected Learning Specialist.
Your direct involvement makes a difference! Provide guidance and feedback to
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs
by serving on a
local CTE Program Advisory Committee. Mentor young people by
developing internships,
registered apprenticeships
and posting job opportunities. Engage in outreach and promotion by participating in a career day or career fair.
Do you have a resource or contact to share? Please reach out to us at the contact information below! For an overview of how your company can get involved, download our CCL Guide for Industry Partners below. You can also visit the Career Connect Oregon page for industry partners.
Dear Community-Based Organizations,
Did you know that Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are uniquely suited to improve workforce development for young people ages 18-24 with pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships? Learn more by reading this helpful article by the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning!
While your organization builds capacity to run apprenticeship programs, you can partner with other organizations and provide essential training, offer referrals, and contribute services to complement existing programs. Consider pilot programs as a viable starting point!
For information about national apprenticeship initiatives, consult Apprenticeship USA. For resources specific to Oregon, check out this link from the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries. The Oregon Health Authority is partnering with CBOs to provide funding for apprenticeship programs. Additional sources for general funding can be found at Care Oregon and the Oregon Community Foundation.
Dear CTE and STE(A)M Instructors, Counselors, and Education Administrators,
If you know someone starting out, send them to the Oregon Department of Education to learn about CTE teacher preparation and licensure. Once you are in the classroom, you are covered by Oregon State Standards. In addition, Career Connect Oregon has combined standards from the American School Counselor Association and Oregon Administrative Rules in an easy-to-read handout. We also provide you with curriculum suites at Career Connect Oregon.
To stay up-to-date in your field, consult with the Association for Career and Technical Education, and always check out what in-person and online trainings Oregon PDNetworks has to offer.
Return often to stay informed about what’s happening in your region and who to get in touch with to connect your students with the rich resources in your community.
You can also visit the Career Connect Oregon Page for educators.
Dear Students,
Get help and find the career and educational path that feels right for you. Here are some places you can check out right now!
Match careers to your interests at Oregon CIS, YouScience. Ask your school counselor for more information. What’s hot? Use Oregon’s Employment Department to research wages, required skills and education for high-demand jobs. Get paid to learn at AmeriCorps, JobCorps, and YouthCorps while serving in communities across Oregon and the US.
Want to start a business? Oregon’s Small Business Development Center, DECA, and HOSA have programs to help your ideas grow. Many careers with high levels of responsibility require a degree or training. Find hundreds of programs across Oregon schools. Check out Oregon’s 7 Public Universities, 17 Community Colleges, and Licensed Private Career Schools. Concerned about how you’ll pay for education? Oregon Student Aid has affordable options for everyone. You can also visit the Career Connect Oregon page for students.
Resource Guide for Grades 5-8 Resource Guide for Grades 9-12Dear Families and Caregivers,
You are the first influence on the young person in your home, and Career Connect Oregon is here to assist you in guiding them. Begin by encouraging self-discovery and exploration. What jobs are they interested in? Oregon CIS, YouScience, and Oregon Department of Education’s Career Explorer are excellent, free resources for developing awareness and beginning exploration.
What skill does your student need to develop along the way? Tap Oregon Employability Skills for their traits framework and C3 for their career journey maps, which will help in planning coursework and early workplace experiences.
As students enter high school, keep an eye on Oregon Diploma requirements. Oregon Employment Department’s Career Explorer will help spark a conversation about jobs.
PARTNERS WORKING FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
Title: Career Connected Learning Systems Navigator
Role Description: A Career Connected Learning Systems Navigator facilitates the integration of educational and career development programs, serving as a liaison between schools, community colleges and industry partners. This role focuses on ensuring equitable access to career learning opportunities, guiding students through awareness, exploration, preparation and training in various career paths.
Phone Number: 503-365-4698
E-mail: kcastil2@chemeketa.edu
Title: Workforce Development Specialist | Salem Chamber of Commerce
Role Description: A workforce development specialist leads initiatives to support and grow local small businesses, providing guidance, resources, and training. This role involves collaboration with community stakeholders to foster a thriving small business ecosystem
Phone Number: 503-581-1466 ext 308
E-mail: chris@salemchamber.org
Title: Director | Mid-Willamette Education Consortium
Role Description: The Director of the Mid–Willamette Education Consortium oversees a regional partnership formed to promote career technical education and extended learning opportunities in the region. The director works with schools in the region to better meet the needs of all students. With other partners, they collaborate and leverage funding to improve the opportunities for all members.
Phone Number: 503-589-7746
E-mail: ed.woods@chemeketa.edu
Title: STEM Hub Executive Director | South Metro-Salem STEM Partnership
Role Description: The Executive Director of a STEM Hub leads initiatives to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education across schools and communities. This role involves strategic planning; partnership development with educational institutions, industry and government agencies; and overseeing programs that promote STEM literacy and career readiness. The director focuses on increasing access to quality STEM-learning experiences for all students.
Phone Number: 503-821-1169
E-mail: julia.betts@oit.edu
Title: Director of Career-Connected Learning at South Metro-Salem STEM Partnership
Role Description: SMSP is dedicated to cultivating a workforce proficient in STEM. The CCL Director actively engages with stakeholders across the region, listens to needs, identifies opportunities, and fosters partnerships to develop innovative solutions. With a passion for equitable education, particularly in supporting multilingual learners, this role advocates for inclusive practices in classrooms to ensures that all students are exposed to a diverse range of future career possibilities, especially in CTE and STEM.
Phone Number: 503-821-1166
E-mail: penny.jahraus@oit.edu
Title: CTE Regional Coordinator
Role Description: A CTE Regional Coordinator manages and supports Career and Technical Education programs across a specific region, aligning them with both educational standards and workforce requirements. This role entails collaboration with schools and industry to tailor CTE offerings to local job market needs.
Phone Number: 503-589-7747
E-mail: debbie.johnson@chemeketa.edu
Title: Dean of High School Partnerships | Chemeketa CC
Role Description: The Dean of High School Partnerships cultivates relationships between high schools, students and external organizations – coordinating programs that enhance students’ educational and career readiness experiences.
Phone Number: 503-365-4705
E-mail: sara.hastings@chemeketa.edu
Title: Executive Dean of CTE | Chemeketa Community College
Role Description: The Executive Dean of CTE at a community college oversees programs that prepare students for the job market, focusing on skill-based training and industry partnerships. This role involves curriculum development, aligning educational offerings with regional workforce needs and fostering connections between students and potential employers.
Phone Number: 503-399-2339
E-mail: marshall.roache@chemeketa.edu
REGIONAL RESOURCES
CTE Teacher Licensure is needed for an instructor to teach in a state-approved CTE program. Find out specific information for your program career cluster at the Oregon Department of Education’s CTE Teacher Licensure: Teaching, Learning, and Communication Resources. For help obtaining a CTE endorsement in your region, contact your CTE Regional Coordinator.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */CTE Educator Resources from the Oregon Department of Education provide information and a multitude of resources related to Career and Technical Education in Oregon.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Oregon Open Learning: WBL Hub is Oregon’s K-12 open educational resource repository for work-based learning. The Oregon Open Learning: WBL Hub contains resources created by Oregon educators to help learners get the experience employers are seeking and gain the skills and credentials they need to enter and succeed in their careers.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Chemeketa Community College Education Certification Pathways: Chemeketa Community College offers two exciting education career pathways with certification for high school CTE teachers and education support professionals.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */ASPIRE – Oregon Student Aid. The ASPIRE program helps educate Oregon students to become career and college ready. ASPIRE offers education, resources and mentoring opportunities for all students.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Career Connect Oregon – Curriculum for Educators offers curriculum suites aligned with ASCA standards and OARs. Suites include quick-start guides, lesson plans, and handouts. Cooperative learning strategies and creative assessment ideas included in each suite!
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Workforce Talent Development Board provides a productive space for educators to engage and partner with one another that includes innovative task forces, research projects, data and reports, strategies and recommendations.
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Link to CTE Educator Resources
REGIONAL RESOURCES
Career OneStop Take this 30-question interest assessment to help you match your interests with exciting careers.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Career Journeys Watch young Oregonians in high-demand trades share their career journeys and give you a window into their workday.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Oregon Career Pathways: Explore career pathways through the Oregon Employment Department to understand the education and training needed for different occupations. Learn which jobs are in highest demand and what they pay.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */CTE Exploration Week, sponsored by Oregon Career Pathways, offers students aged 14-16 from Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties an opportunity to engage in free hands-on experiences at Chemeketa’s Salem campus. This initiative covers a range of fields including allied health, computer information systems, early childhood education, horticulture, machining, entrepreneurship, and diesel technology (Brooks Campus).
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Chemeketa Community College offers a range of career-oriented programs such as nursing, automotive technology, business management, criminal justice, dental hygiene, early childhood education, engineering, fire prevention, hospitality & tourism management and welding fabrication.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Career and Technical Education: Oregon Department of Education offers programs and resources for students interested in technical and vocational education. Learn more about the 6 career areas and find programs in your school.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Oregon Apprenticeship: This website offers information on registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, helping students explore hands-on training opportunities in various trades statewide.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Training Corps: For students interested in environmental careers, OCC provides opportunities for training and work experience in conservation. Get paid to learn at AmeriCorps, JobCorps, and YouthCorps while serving in communities across Oregon and the US.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Chemeketa Community College offers a wide range of short-term training and certificate programs designed for individuals seeking to quickly enhance their skills. These programs include Agribusiness Management, Career Pathways Certificates, Community Agriculture & Pesticide Training, Community Education, Cooperative Work Experience, Cultural Competency, Customized Training, Driver Education, Occupational Skills Training, and Truck Driving. For businesses and community-based organizations, they offer customized training programs.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */REGIONAL RESOURCES
Search CTE Programs Across the State. Curious about what Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are available? Visit this link for a database of searchable CTE programs at every high school in Oregon.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Oregon Young Employee Safety strives to prevent injury and illnesses and promote well-being among young workers through resource sharing and community partnership.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Oregon Career Information System provides career exploration and planning tools. Parents can access resources to help their children explore different career paths.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Oregon Student Aid: The Higher Education Coordinating Commission offers information on higher education options in Oregon, including college and university programs.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Personal Education Plan and Profile: Find out more about this document for secondary students—updated yearly—that contains their interests, coursework, career aspirations, participation in career-related learning and a portfolio of their achievements.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Oregon C3 Career Journey Maps are centered around 16 major career clusters and designed to encourage discussion among practitioners, students and their families. Each map includes sample jobs, general specifications, job descriptions, suggestions for preparation, links to additional resources and suggestions for next steps.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */REGIONAL RESOURCES
Search CTE Programs Across the State: Visit this link for a database of searchable CTE Approved CTE Programs offered in Oregon’s high schools. There are two report options available; a Basic Search that displays program information for one secondary school offering CTE within the selected academic year and an Advanced Search that contains additional filtering options allowing users to explore results across, regions, counties, or career areas.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Workforce Talent Development Board – Employer Resources: Post your job openings, identify qualified candidates and plan for the future of your employees. The majority of the Workforce Talent Development Board is made up of Oregon business leaders from Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Energy, Sports and Apparel, Forest Products, Food and Beverage, and other sectors. The WTDB provides multiple tables, convenings and events for these leaders, and their public sector partners, to develop and drive strategy, policy and value for Oregon’s workforce system.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */WorkSource Oregon: Grow your skilled workers with apprenticeships, internships and training options. WorkSource Oregon is here to partner with your business and provides free services for employers and helps businesses craft job postings for improved results, convene job candidates through job fairs and hiring events. They can also help your business identify possible tax credits, provide customized workforce data analysis, and establish market-competitive wage rates to attract and retain talent.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Oregon Apprenticeship: Apprenticeships are an excellent way to invest in your community’s young workforce. They compliment classroom learning, ensure a trained and engaged staff, and contribute to worker satisfaction and retention. For details on how your business can participate, follow the link below:
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Mapping CTE, STEM and Workforce Education in Oregon This interactive story map shows how five groups promote career-connected learning and develop job skills across the state. The following maps allow you to interact with Oregon’s Community College Districts, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Partnerships, Education Service Districts, Regional science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) Hubs and Local Workforce Boards.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries Minors, their parents and employers should know about the laws that protect children at work. They include hiring and working conditions that are specific to minors, restrictions on the hours and the types of work a minor can do.
/* Your custom link styles with !important */Regional Career Technical Education Partners and Locations
Salem, OR
With a core belief that “Spanish-speaking parents are the first teachers, mentors and coaches of their children,” the SKCE empowers Latino/a/x families through engaging educational, developmental, and leadership networks, partners with schools and the local community to improve family and student outcomes, and advocates for representative discussions on policy.
Siletz, OR
“The Confederated Tribes of Siletz seeks to provide opportunities for Tribal members to reach potential, establish independence and improve quality of life through lifelong learning and education. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians offer many programs and services to eligible Tribal members. These services include housing, education, health, social and employment services. Explore the numerous services the Confederated Tribes of Siletz has to offer our Tribal members.”
Salem, OR
The MWEC represents high school districts, charter schools and industry partners to advance CTE education and extended learning in the region. It organizes events for partner collaboration, provides professional development, supports secondary CTE teacher licensure and builds CTE capacity across the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Salem, OR
Willamette ESD provides approximately 61 services related to Special Education, Technology, School Improvement, and Administrative Services to school districts across the region. They also administer numerous grants and contracts to support education across the region and across the state.”
Salem, OR
“CTEC prepares students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers, while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation. CTEC offers ten exciting and innovative Career Technical Education programs across a variety of disciplines.”
Salem, OR
This organization offers a number of programs designed to ensure children receiving a k-12 education in 16 regions across Oregon can benefit from wrap-around support, including parenting classes, kindergarten readiness resources, free preschool and health and human services.
Salem, OR
“Willamette Career Academy harnesses the power of connection and collaboration to be a regional hub for career and technical innovation. We serve students and business partners across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. WCA provides innovative programs to prepare high school students for high-wage, high-demand careers in Oregon.”
Salem, OR
Willamette Workforce Partnership serves as the Workforce Development Board for Linn, Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. It invests in comprehensive employment, training and educational services.
Salem, OR
The Marion County Economic Development Board offers a variety of programs focused on recovery, infrastructure and community development. These include grants for wildfire recovery, support for the North Santiam Sewer Authority, development of recreational trails, excavation projects for marinas, downtown planning and business loans and initiatives for broadband expansion and fire recovery.
Career Connected Learning is a partnership between the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Committee. Site design, implementation and content development by Southern Oregon Education Service District, in partnership with Inflexion and the Journalistic Learning Initiative.
