District reports internship growth; employers describe hiring former interns
Summary
Vancouver School District CTE staff told the board internships have grown from about 66 to over 200 students and 222 students earn elective credits through work experience; employer ProTech Industries said it has hired multiple former interns and praised the district’s safety and onboarding procedures.
District executive director Bill Ullman and CTE Director Mark Reif briefed the board on career-connected learning, highlighting a team led by Nina Lupo and work-based learning coordinators Natalie Powell, Brandy Elder and Christy Lenahan. Reif said the district has seen a marked increase in student internships and work experience for high-school students.
Reif reported internship participation grew from an initial 66 to "over 200" students in the current year and that 222 students are earning elective credits through their jobs. He said internships and work experience generate FTE funding that helps sustain coordinator positions.
The program includes a Canvas-based online curriculum, typically runs a semester, and allows students to earn up to 90 hours of work time credit; Reif said internships are also articulated with Clark College for college credit.
A five-minute video and live remarks highlighted ProTech Industries as a premier partner. Rodrigo Morales, a former intern who moved into an aluminum production welder role, told the board the internship helped him build skills, confidence and job-readiness. ProTech CEO Jeff Carpenter said the company has hired multiple former interns and praised the district’s safety procedures and onboarding: "You guys have done a really good job dealing with the safety aspect of bringing underage kids into a manufacturing environment that's heavy industrial." Carpenter encouraged continuing the partnerships.
Board members asked about employer numbers and duration. Mark Reif said the district maintains a large placement spreadsheet and estimated 100 or more employer partners, with most employers hosting one or two interns; internships are usually a semester and include curriculum and assessment components.
Reif said some programs are at capacity for safe support and the district will continue working with chambers and community partners to expand opportunities where feasible.
