Free Event for Teens and Families will Celebrate WSU Vancouver’s Center for Youth Workforce Preparation

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Washington State University Vancouver will celebrate the launch of the Center for Youth Workforce Preparation by hosting a free public event for teens and families Saturday, Oct. 22.

The free event, set for 1-2:30 p.m. in the Student Services Building auditorium, will introduce the community to activities and programs targeted toward career preparation and education. Entertainment will be provided by world-caliber illusionist Mark Benthimer, whose family-friendly performance will blend comedy, magic and education for a fun and thought-provoking look at the wonders of science. Audience members will be given the opportunity to inquire about the scientific and technological principles behind his illusions.

Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged. To make a reservation, e-mail wfp-family-event@vancouver.wsu.edu or call (360) 546-9121 and provide the name of family to attend, number planning to attend (a maximum of 4 per family), a phone number and e-mail address. Those with reservations will be seated from 12:40-12:55 p.m.; those without reservations will be seated from 12:55-1 p.m. on a space-available basis.

The new center is a collaboration between WSU Vancouver, WSU Extension, WSU Clark County 4-H, the National Center for Workforce Preparation and community partners. It will serve as a community resource for post-high school education and career exploration with a special emphasis on learning experiences that stimulate interest in health care, science and technology. Additional career areas will be added over time.

“High school and middle school students are at a point where academic performance is absolutely critical in shaping a post-secondary career path. We want to make abstract ideas come alive through a hands-on approach,” said Michael Holroyd, director of the center. “That way, students are motivated to stay in school and choose challenging courses that will prepare them for their post-secondary education. We need to be as inclusive as possible and reach out to all parts of our community.”

Over the coming months, the center’s programs will include 4-H Teen-Works, a career exploration program for middle and high school youth; an AmeriCorps Community Partnership program; youth conferences; adult training symposia; educational videos; free loans of educational equipment and supplies to selected program partners; and much more. A research library focusing on youth workforce preparation will serve as the foundation for training, resources and programs.

“By training and mentoring these students today, we are strengthening the overall community and creating a brighter future for the emerging workforce,” Holroyd said.

WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205.