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AJAC proposes Future Ready Makers pilot with Envision Career Academy; requests $22,000 from Lacey
Summary
AJAC and partners proposed a hands‑on manufacturing pilot at Lacey Makerspace for 10th‑grade students, seeking $22,000 in city support matched by $25,000 in partner funds to launch a small initial cohort and expand over three years.
AJAC representatives presented Future Ready Makers, a hands‑on pilot to introduce high‑school students to manufacturing careers through project‑based instruction, shop tours and employer engagement.
Demetria Lynn Strickland, AJAC executive director, and a regional program manager described a partnership with Envision Career Academy, Lacey Makerspace and ACE Strategies. The pilot would target Envision 10th‑grade students with 14 two‑hour sessions at Lacey Makerspace from October 2026 through June 2027. AJAC said the first cohort would be deliberately small — five students — to pilot curriculum, with plans to scale to 30 students over three years. The program includes assessments, certificates and employer‑aligned competencies to help students transition into apprenticeships or entry‑level shop roles.
AJAC requested $22,000 in city support and reported $25,000 in leveraged match or in‑kind support, for a $47,000 total pilot budget. Presenters emphasized employer partnerships (AJAC works with hundreds of Washington employers) and the workforce pipeline value of early exposure to family‑wage careers in manufacturing.
Commissioners asked about student selection and credentialing; AJAC said Envision would manage recruitment and vetting, and that participants would receive certificates and competency documentation recognized by industry partners.
