Washington is ranked No.1 in the percentage of working science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals. In support of its strategic plan, Goal 5: Persistence to Graduation, Federal Way Public Schools offers courses that make up different specific career pathways to its high school scholars. The Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology Career Pathway prepares scholars for higher education and careers in machinery, manufacturing, engineering, computer science, drafting and design, and related fields.

The school district has partnered with industry leaders such as Boeing, Hexcel, NW Technical Products and Pacific Coast Composites to support the Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology Career Pathway. These partnerships inform the pathway’s design to provide tangible connections to real world experience for scholars.

“We are preparing our scholars for the world of work and doing so means they have the practical experience with tools and content that will allow them to transition to the trades, apprenticeships, or two or four year colleges,” said Dr. Tammy Campbell, superintendent of Federal Way Public Schools.

The Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology pathway is structured to give scholars hands on experience with technologies and processes that mirror those used in today’s workplace to prepare scholars for post-secondary education and career opportunities. Pacific Coast Composites helped launch the Composites Manufacturing course at Todd Beamer High School and donated composite material, supplies and equipment to the class. Manufacturing students at Federal Way High School have access to a brand-new Computer Numerical Control Machine.

Chris Herrero of Pacific Coast Composites explained how this benefits Federal Way Public Schools scholars, “Students are able to turn the skills they learn into a job straight from high school. It gives students another path to take when graduating high school. This also helps the composite manufacturers and manufacturers in general by providing them with a skilled workforce right away.”

Courses are offered in engineering, National Automotive Technician’s Education Foundation certification, manufacturing, construction, woodworking and metals and computer science. Course titles include Intro to Engineering, Automotive Fundamentals, Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing. Scholars can earn college credit for some of these courses due to partnerships with Green River College, Highline College and Renton Technical College.

Each high school offers Career and Technical Education courses in support of this career pathway, with some specialization at each school to provide a unique educational experience. Decatur High School offers courses focused on the automotive industry, engineering and robotics. Thomas Jefferson High School offers construction and woodworking classes. Todd Beamer High School offers courses in composite manufacturing, drafting and design and computer science. Federal Way High School has implemented curriculum from Project Lead the Way, taking a design/build approach with engineering and manufacturing.

For more information about the different career pathways offered in Federal Way Public Schools visit this link: www.fwps.org/Page/2353.