High school students in the Tumwater School District now have a new and unique opportunity to receive hands-on work experience as they learn about retail, customer service, marketing and community outreach. With the September 3, 2024, grand opening of the revitalized Tumwater Retail and Tourism Visitors Center at 5304 Littlerock Road, the District, the Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Tumwater are providing skills that benefit students, the community and visitors.
The student-operated center helps to bridge the gap between education and industry with students providing customer service to locals and visitors and gaining worksite knowledge in hospitality, tourism and marketing. The center also teaches students retail skills as they sell school spirit merchandise and student created products.
“This work-based learning experience brings the classroom into the community and the community into the classroom,” says Chris L. Sieg, Tumwater School District director of career and technical education.
Retail and Visitors Center Provides Limitless Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Tumwater’s Career and Technical Education Program Students
The retail and visitors center is a new central point for limitless work-based learning opportunities as students interact with local businesses and explore careers.
Tumwater School District students run the new center’s retail store and support local tourism efforts through the district’s Career and Technical Education Program, which helps students connect their High School and Beyond Plan to their post high school training and education. Providing customer service, managing inventory, informing visitors about community events and local landmarks, engaging with customers shopping for high school merchandise, and otherwise supporting the smooth operation of the center are among the skills that students will gain working at the center or remotely. Students will also learn about hospitality, local destinations, networking and entrepreneurship.
“This is the physical and virtual hub where students will go for work-based learning in the Tumwater School District,” says Sieg. He says businesses will have an opportunity to hire students directly, host paid internships, provide community service options, serve as classroom guest speakers, and other work-based learning experiences. The program will also be working with Experience Olympia & Beyond to find tourism industry experiences for students.
A Broad Base of Regional Employers and Community Partners Support Tumwater Retail and Tourism Visitors Center’s Paid Work Experience Program for Students
The Tumwater Retail and Tourism Visitors Center is funded with Chamber membership funds, sponsorships, grants and merchandise sales that go directly back into work-based learning activities. Students staffing the center receive a paid stipend plus credit toward graduation. The stipend is supported through TumWaterWorkX, a paid work experience program in partnership with the City of Tumwater being piloted this summer for at risk youth. The Center also has an option for student volunteers.
A robust cross-section of local and state leaders turned out for the grand opening, underscoring the broad support for this work-based program that connects students, businesses and the community. Attendees included Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, who read Governor Jay Inslee’s 2024 “Careers in Retail” Proclamation designating the state’s September spotlight on retail careers. Washington Retail Association Vice President of Operations and Retail Services Rose Gundersen noted in her welcoming remarks that retail is a significant economic driver for local and state governments. Gundersen played a key role in securing the National Retail Foundation as a grand opening sponsor.
Other local leaders attending included Tumwater School District Superintendent Kevin Bogatin, TSD School Board Vice President Melissa Beard, Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce President Ryan Reynolds, Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan, Tumwater Police Chief John Weiks and area business owners.
The Tumwater Retail and Tourism Visitors Center has already been tapped by the public. During the grand opening, an Oregon visitor who had read about the center online stopped in because they were looking for information about things to do in the Tumwater area.
As it brings in more visitors now that its doors are officially open, the Center also hopes to attract additional supporters for its development and growth as it moves forward. “That’s how it’s going to happen,” Sieg says. “It will generate opportunities and momentum. We will gain new partners.” Partners can get involved by joining the TACC or connecting with Tumwater School District CTE Office.
Student-Led Program is a New Physical and Virtual Visitors Center in City of Tumwater
The early work to design a student-led brick-and-mortar retail and visitors’ hub that also provides virtual services came from former district staff like Brian Hardcastle and Dave Perreira, joined by community supporters. Students at Tumwater High School, A.G. West Black Hills High School and Cascadia High School will be able to apply for paid positions when the application process is finalized. Meanwhile, the volunteer application is available online.
After the grand opening, Sieg and Perreira discussed the Tumwater Retail and Tourism Visitors Center’s features to Tumwater City Council members at their meeting. More information about the Center’s current and future activities will be provided to Tumwater Chamber of Commerce members and potential members at their September 18 forum at Chamber member Farrelli’s in Tumwater from Noon to 1 p.m. and available at Tumwater Falls Fest on September 30.
Open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., the Tumwater Retail and Tourism Visitors Center is located in Tumwater at 5304 Littlerock Road, near Fred Meyer, in Tumwater. Parking is free.
Tumwater School District – Career & Technical Education
Tumwater Retail and Tourism Visitors Center
5304 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater
360.995.4514
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