During the Round 1 of forums and statewide survey on “How to improve young adult employment,” support emerged for the idea of bringing back the vocational track in high school and having greater business involvement in our workforce training system.
Debbie Doran-Martinez, Executive Director of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, shared how Moses Lake High School is building critical skills, hands-on business knowledge, and real-life experiences for young adults.
“At Moses Lake High School in the Career and Technical Education Department, they have real business connected to the classroom experience. They not only create a business learning environment, but the students get job experience without being employed.
Classes operate like a business; such as the nation’s only fully functioning cafe for the culinary students. Students build boats during the Manufacturing Technology course and sell them to the public. They operate a latte stand that generates $40,000 a year, as well as a school-based floral shop, catering classes, and a video production studio.
Moses Lake students graduate with real job skills, and I believe all schools can do this.”
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