South Metro-Salem STEM Partnership held its 9th annual Industry-Educator Speed Networking event on Aug. 21st. This high-energy event brought local educators and industry professionals together, fostering connections to bridge the gap between education and the evolving needs of the workforce.
50 K-12 educators, including Career Technical Education (CTE) and STEM teachers, along with counselors, from 22 school districts connected with 48 representatives from 35 local employers, including Portland General Electric, Summit Salon Academy, Nike, Lam Research, Microchip, and the Area I Plumbers Apprenticeship. The event’s unique, dynamic structure allows educators to move from table to table, engaging in brief yet impactful conversations and hands-on demonstrations as they explore in-demand careers, gain insights into the current job market, and understand the top skills that employers are seeking.
This event cultivates a culture of collaboration between schools and industries across the region. The relationships formed during this event empower educators to bring real-world career exploration into their classrooms, increase the relevance of their curriculum, and provide students with valuable connections to guest speakers, potential field trips, and career opportunities.
Educators partnered with industry leaders to address workforce development challenges and prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. A BIG THANK YOU to the event co-organizers: Clackamas Community College, Clackamas Workforce Partnership, Todos Juntos, Willamette Education Service District, Westlake Consultants, and Salem-Keizer School District.