Who We Are
360West Workforce strengthens the connection between education and employment across the South Puget Sound. We bring together schools, employers, and community partners to expand access to high-quality, real-world learning experiences for students.
Our work is grounded in the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to explore careers, build skills, and step confidently into their future.
What We Do
We coordinate and support career-connected learning experiences that help students explore interests, develop essential skills, and transition successfully into postsecondary pathways.
Our work includes:
Internships and worksite learning
Job shadows and career exploration
Industry mentorship and engagement
Career fairs and community events
Educator support and CTE program alignment
We serve as a connector, a facilitator, and a strategic partner, helping schools, employers, and community organizations work together more effectively to expand opportunities for students throughout our region.
What Drives Us
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Our mission is to empower students through meaningful, career-connected learning experiences that prepare them for success in college, the workforce, and life.
We do this by coordinating work-based learning opportunities, supporting educators, and building strong partnerships with local industry and community organizations.
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We envision a region where every student has access to hands-on learning that inspires purpose, strengthens skills, and opens doors.
A region where employers and educators collaborate seamlessly to build a thriving, future-ready workforce.
A region where communities grow stronger because opportunity is shared widely and equitably.
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These values guide our work and shape every partnership we build:
Collaboration: We believe the strongest solutions emerge when education, industry, and community work together.
Equity: We are committed to expanding access to high-quality opportunities for all students.
Experiential Learning: We champion hands-on, real-world experiences that build confidence and capability.
Community Strength: We invest in partnerships that uplift local economies and expand opportunity.
Innovation: We design creative, responsive solutions that meet the evolving needs of students and employers.
Our Story
360West Workforce began with a simple belief: students thrive when communities work together to support their futures.
Our story is rooted in real partnerships, real experiences, and a shared commitment to building stronger pathways across the South Puget Sound.
Where We Started
Our work began in the Shelton School District, where we saw firsthand the transformative impact of meaningful, real-world learning experiences. Students flourished when they had access to internships, job shadows, mentorships, and hands-on opportunities that connected their education to their future goals. Employers and community partners flourished, too - gaining access to emerging talent and building relationships that strengthened the local workforce.
What We Learned
As CTE teachers, instructional coaches, and community leaders, our team coordinated thousands of hours of worksite learning and experiential opportunities for young people in grades 7-12. We built district-wide career fairs, financial literacy initiatives, skills workshops, and industry-aligned credentialing pathways.
Through this work, we learned that when students engage in authentic, career-connected learning, they discover their “why,” build resilience, and develop essential workplace skills.
The Challenge We Saw
But we also recognized a growing challenge. Not every school or community has the capacity, staffing, or infrastructure to build these partnerships on their own. Many districts want to offer high-quality work-based learning, but lack the time, resources, or connections to make it possible. At the same time, employers and community organizations often want to support students - but don’t know where to start.
Why We Stepped Forward
We created 360West Workforce to serve as a regional connector - a coalition of educators, employers, and community partners working together to ensure that every student has equitable access to meaningful college and career readiness experiences. By building relationships once and sharing them across districts, we eliminate duplication, expand opportunity, and strengthen the entire talent pipeline from classrooms to careers.
Our Vision for the Future
Our long-term vision extends far beyond a single district. We believe the model we developed in Shelton is replicable across the South Puget Sound, throughout Western Washington, and eventually across the entire state. We aim to transform how communities collaborate around education and workforce development - enriching local economies, empowering students, and strengthening the future of Washington’s workforce.
Looking Ahead
Today, 360West Workforce is expanding this proven model across the South Puget Sound - building stronger pathways for students, employers, and communities. Together, we are creating a future where every student has the opportunity to explore careers, develop essential skills, and step confidently into their next chapter.
Who We Partner With
We collaborate with organizations across the South Puget Sound who share our commitment
to expanding opportunities for students, including:
School Districts & Educators
Co‑creating meaningful, career‑connected learning experiences
Workforce & Economic Development
Aligning regional strategies that strengthen the talent pipeline
Employers & Industry Partners
Providing real‑world opportunities and emerging talent pathways
Community-Based Organizations
Supporting equitable access and holistic youth development
We are actively expanding our regional network as we build new partnerships across the South Puget Sound and beyond.
Our Region
We proudly serve the South Puget Sound region of Western Washington - a diverse, dynamic area where education, industry, and community are deeply interconnected. Our work is rooted in the belief that strong regional partnerships create stronger futures for students, employers, and communities alike.
Our Team
Our team brings decades of combined experience in education, workforce development, and community partnership. As we grow, we are building a diverse team of leaders committed to expanding opportunities for students across the South Puget Sound.
Our Board
We are currently forming our founding Board of Directors, bringing together leaders from education, industry, and community organizations who share our commitment to empowering young people.
