Trade‑center ribbon cutting, welding site groundbreaking and plans for a third facility highlight district CTE expansion

Vancouver School District CTE leaders updated the board on recent and planned career‑technical education investments: a ribbon cutting for the new Endeavor Technical Trade Center, a Fort Vancouver welding/manufacturing facility groundbreaking, and donor‑led planning for a third trades center potentially at Skyview.

CTE Director Mark Reith told the board the Endeavor Technical Trade Center ribbon cutting on May 20 drew students, donors and employer partners. He said the new facility already faces high demand: district construction‑related program enrollment grew from about 30 students in 2017 to over 450 students districtwide in related construction or architectural programs this year. Employers and trade partners — including HVAC firms, Thompson Metal Fabrication, Machinist Institute and maritime employers — are discussing training partnerships, evening classes, and employer‑led training supports.

At Fort Vancouver High School the district broke ground on a welding and manufacturing facility; community partners including Machinist Institute and local manufacturers have expressed interest in instructional collaboration, Reith said. Reith also described donor interest in a proposed Ed and Dolly Lynch Trade Center North near Skyview: a conceptual ~18,000‑square‑foot building with dual programming for construction and manufacturing/welding that donors would fund; the district would undertake site planning and permit work if donors proceed.

Board members asked about connections to early‑childhood workforce needs and use of facilities after hours; Reith said donors and employers view the facilities as a way to develop local workforce pipelines, and that evening use and trainer support remain part of planning. No capital budget vote took place at the study session; Reith said donor commitments and permitting remain in process.