High school students have a lot on their plate. As graduation approaches, they plan for college, careers, military service, internships and the occasional chance to sleep in after commencement. Yelm Community Schools prepared the Yelm Job Fair so students can learn more about potential employment, network with local small businesses, practice interview skills and build confidence presenting themselves to recruiters and future bosses. The event takes place on Tuesday, May 2, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Yelm Community Center and is open to the public and job seekers of any age.
Building a Talent Pipeline at the Yelm Job Fair
“Yelm Community Schools values the partnerships we have within the community and thank our partners who are collaborating with us to make the Job Fair a reality,” says Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director Teri Melone. These include the Yelm Chamber of Commerce, City of Yelm, Pacific Mountain WorkSource, ESD 113 STEM Alliance and Career Connect Washington.
These partnerships are designed to build a strong, resilient talent pipeline within the community. “Schools are hearing from employers that they want to connect with schools and share the employment and training opportunities available in their industries,” explains Melone. “Career and Technical Education has many opportunities to develop work-based learning experiences to close the gap between education and employment in order to build the talent pipeline. Structured and planned experiences supervised by trained CTE staff are great ways for employers to get started. Also, being part of an advisory committee allows businesses to build relationships with teachers and courses teaching skills in their specific industry needs.”
Open to All Job Seekers of Any Age or Experience
Today’s job market can seem like a rollercoaster. However, the goal is to make looking for a job more inviting. The Yelm Job Fair welcomes all students and job seekers, not just those affiliated with the district. There will be more than 35 employers on-site looking to fill more than 500 open positions in a variety of fields. Melone compiled a list of employers, job openings and type of work for those planning to attend.
“We are excited to bring these hiring events back to our community,” says Melone. “Students can find summer employment or a career that relates to their personal goals. Throughout their high school experience, students can engage in many field trips, guest speakers and leadership activities that help them explore and build skills to prepare for employment. Job fairs are just another steppingstone in the process and allow employers to provide them feedback.”
Career and Technical Education is a Valuable Part of Learning
Students in Yelm Community Schools aren’t expected to master complex job search skills on their own. Melone explains that they develop their resume as part of the Yelm High School and Beyond Plan. Then freshmen develop a career portfolio and practice by participating in mock interviews. “We are always looking for volunteers to sign up and help with this process,” says Melone.
Businesses can also participate in the CTE Work-Site Learning Program. Students with a job can earn credit for their work with the support of a trained CTE teacher acting as coach and mentor while providing employers support in developing high quality employees. There are currently about 40 students participating this year and have developed paid internships across the Yelm community to support students seeking employment for next year.
On April 26, Yelm Community Schools is hosting their third community conversation, this time focusing on educational resources. Everyone is welcome to the panel discussion which begins at 5:30 p.m. This presentation looks at resources for continuing education as well as employment opportunities. Panel speakers include representatives from Yelm High School, Timberland Regional Library, Thurston County Chamber Worksource, SPSCC and ANEW’s pre-apprenticeship program.
Employers Appreciate CTE for New Hires
Danika Ashmore of the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families says that despite being a newer state agency, their organization appreciates job fairs like these. “Hiring events are a way to build genuine connections between employers and candidates.” They want to show applicants how government work is important and gives back to the community. “Younger generations might not consider government work right away, but if our recruiters have the chance to connect, we can tell future applicants the benefits associated with working at DCYF.”
And the Fair doesn’t just highlight desk jobs. Antoinette Walker is the School Liaison Officer in School Support Services at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Their representatives will be there staffing the US Army’s Child and Youth Services (CYS) team. “With a career in CYS, Yelm High School graduates can develop marketable skills and explore various career paths in our child development centers, school-age- before- and after-school programs, summer camps, youth programs and other settings,” says Walker. Their program is one of the largest employer-sponsored childcare and youth development programs nationwide.
If you know someone about to graduate or looking for work, print out a stack of resumes and head to the Yelm Job Fair. It’s the perfect place to ask questions, network and build a stronger tomorrow.
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