The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce developed its Manufacturing Connect Program with a vision to highlight workforce skills and provide real-world applications for Spokane Valley’s youth. Since its inception in Fall 2024, the Manufacturing Connect Program has connected Spokane Valley Tech students to over two dozen manufacturing businesses across the region.
The program originated as a Career Connect Washington grant, in collaboration with Spokane Valley Tech, a vocational school within the Central Valley School District. Now in its second full year, the program has successfully increased business engagement and expanded job opportunities for career-ready students, underscoring the impact of tying classroom education with industry exposure.
“Spokane Valley Tech is special because we have an opportunity to really focus on and teach kids industry skills and standards,” said Amanda St. Pierre, Spokane Valley Tech principal and Skill Center director. “Alone, this is great, but our ability to also get our students out to visit manufacturing businesses in our area really solidifies and validates the work that we are doing.”
The Manufacturing Connect program coordinates tours during the school year to align students’ active learning with hands-on experiences, enhancing interest in the trades and involvement in the manufacturing industry. Exploring manufacturing businesses that range from plastic injected aerospace components to structural steel fabrication, high school juniors and seniors preparing for life after their high school education explore the variety of careers available right here in Spokane Valley.
Kids get to see where the skills that they are learning are being applied in the workforce, and that's incredibly powerful.
Spokane Valley Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing course content begins with introductions to engineering design and advances to applications in engineering, robotics, electronics, product development, and more. For juniors and seniors, the program focuses on techniques such as sheet metal manufacturing, CNC plasma cutting, and welding fabrication among other industry skills and certifications.
St. Pierre added, “Kids get to see where the skills that they are learning are being applied in the workforce, and that’s incredibly powerful.”
During tours, participants gain additional experience with their growing skills in welding, machining, quality control, and production management.
Students have visited small and large operations, including Kaiser Aluminum, a national leader in aluminum fabrication.
“Manufacturing Connect is opening doors for the next generation, and Kaiser Aluminum Trentwood is committed to helping students turn those opportunities into lasting careers,” said Kevin Barron, Trentwood Manufacturing vice president.
The Manufacturing Connect program has scheduled another dozen site tours to wrap up the school year for the 2025–2026 cohort. As the program prepares for next year’s cohort, your business can be at the forefront of shaping a skilled labor pool. The Valley Chamber makes it convenient and easy for students to engage with your industry, handling scheduling and coordinating logistics between businesses and the participating students.
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