Nearly 800 high school students from across the region gathered at the accesso ShoWare Center on October 29 for the Future in Flight Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Expo, an event designed to connect students with career opportunities in one of Washington's most innovative industries.
The expo brought together over 20 employers and numerous education and workforce training organizations, giving students the opportunity to explore careers in aerospace, engineering, advanced manufacturing, aviation, robotics, and related fields. Through interactive exhibits and conversations with industry professionals, students learned about apprenticeships, technical training programs, industry certifications, college pathways, and high-wage careers available throughout South King County and beyond.
Students engaged directly with employers and organizations including Boeing, Amazon Prime Air, Stoke Space, local colleges, apprenticeship programs, and workforce training providers. These conversations helped students better understand the skills, education, and experiences needed to pursue careers in high-demand industries.
“One main thing about this event that I think is pretty special is that you’re communicating with the people that straight up work there, go there, and they really help you find what you’re interested in,” said one Kentridge High School student. “Every single contact that I gathered, I’ll be reaching out to them in the future to see which one looks the most appealing to me.”
The event was made possible through the collaboration of industry, education, workforce, and community partners who share a commitment to supporting student success and strengthening the future workforce.
"The Future in Flight Expo was an incredible experience for students around the region," said Trudy Swain, Director of Career and Technical Education for Kent School District. "Events like this help students connect classroom learning to real careers and allow them to see the wide range of opportunities available in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and related industries.”
For Kent School District students, events like Future in Flight are an important part of career-connected learning. Through Career and Technical Education (CTE), students have opportunities to explore career interests, connect with industry professionals, and discover the many pathways available after high school.
By bringing together education, industry, and community partners, the Future in Flight Expo helped students see how classroom learning can lead to exciting opportunities in the workforce while highlighting the many career possibilities available right here in the Kent Valley.