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Schools and EDC pitch 'pathways to employment' pilot to link students with local jobs
Summary
Mary M. Knight School District superintendent Matt Mallory described a pathways‑to‑employment pilot that prepares students with workplace skills, gives job‑readiness certificates and promises at least an interview with participating local employers for qualifying students.
Matt Mallory (speaker 11), superintendent of the Mary M. Knight School District, presented a pathways‑to‑employment pilot developed with Mason EDC to connect local employers with students who meet attendance, academic and workplace‑readiness metrics.
"If Merriam Knight students meet a certain metric...we can present to them a certificate that they are job ready for an entry level position," Mallory said. The certificate would not guarantee employment but would promise at least an interview with participating employers.
Mallory said the pilot was informed by a youth employment roundtable and that the initial employer list includes about eight businesses, with plans to expand. The program aims to prepare 16–20 students for interviews and entry‑level positions while encouraging graduates to stay and work in Mason County.
Commissioners and staff welcomed the idea but said they must route information to HR and legal to ensure the county can partner with schools without violating contractual or union rules. Staff agreed to review materials and return with guidance on how the county could participate and support internships or workplace rotations.
Students from the program will present at the March 31 public meeting, and staff recognized program staff for outreach that secured employer participation.
