Deputy Mayor Daniels and the Economic Development Committee heard an update Oct. 28 on Jobs 2 5 3, Tacoma’s city–school youth employment and credentialing program that provides stipends and hands‑on work experiences for Tacoma Public Schools students.

The presentation, led by Community and Economic Development staff and Tacoma Public Schools officials, said the program began in 2013 and has expanded from roughly 50–75 students a summer to serving hundreds. Program leaders reported that in the most recent full year they served 673 students, paid more than $330,000 in stipends, and supported nearly 1,000 industry‑recognized credentials (IRCs).

City staff said Jobs 2 5 3 combines job‑readiness training, community service or work placements and credentialing. The standard stipend is $500 for about 40 hours of participation. Credential examples presented included a Certified Erosion and Sediment Control (CECL) credential through the Washington State Department of Ecology, Red Cross‑issued first aid/CPR/AED, flagger certification, and OSHA 10 training. The city also described having hosted credential cohorts in Environmental Services and placements in finance, marketing, and customer service across general government departments.

Deborah (Community and Economic Development) read a student reflection to the committee: “My favorite day in the internship was when I got to assist in an extraction experiment. The scientists explained the process behind it and let me carry out a lot of the procedure. I love science.” The presenters said student reflections are required after placements and are used to improve programming.

Speakers described cases where Jobs 2 5 3 opened new career pathways. Program staff highlighted a graduate, Keeley, who first participated in a wildland firefighting pathway but moved into a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) pathway. According to the presentation, Keeley graduated high school in 2024, completed training at Piney Point, Maryland, and in 2025 completed a three‑month voyage that earned her about $18,000.

Presenters also described operational details and barriers: the city and Tacoma Public Schools process stipend payments and work with partner organizations to solve issues such as how students who are unhoused receive mail and tax forms. Tacoma Rescue Mission was cited as a partner that can provide a mailing address for some students. Staff said they are pursuing employer contributions written into contracts and that the Tacoma Education Dream Fund also supports stipends.

The committee heard that Jobs 2 5 3 is intentionally focused on equity and access. Program staff said they track participation by demographics, grade level and school, and that they are expanding placements for students with disabilities through partners such as Anew and through tailored placements at Tacoma Venues and Events and other city departments.

On funding and scale, presenters said the program has paid out over $1 million in stipends over its lifetime and that employer matching has increased capacity in some placements. Staff reported a voluntary hiring fair and related event scheduled for Nov. 7 at the Tacoma Dome with more than 100 vendors and an expected attendance of about 4,000. Committee members asked about private fundraising; staff said they are writing grants aggressively and negotiating stipend contributions into partner contracts.

Committee members and community commenters praised the program, described individual family impacts and asked about expanding eligibility beyond Tacoma Public Schools. Presenters said the program currently serves Tacoma Public Schools students only, though neighboring districts have asked for information about replicating the model.

Program staff requested continued committee support for employer outreach, grant partnerships and city placements that provide hands‑on credentialing opportunities for students.