Kent School District Honored with PNAA’s 2025 Inspire Award for Groundbreaking CTE Partnership
Kent School District (KSD) has received the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) 2025 Inspire Award in recognition of its innovative career and technical education (CTE) partnership with Skills Inc. and Clover Park Technical College.
This award recognizes the development and success of the Advanced Manufacturing Leadership Academy (AMLA)—a comprehensive, dual-credit career launch program that prepares high school students for success in advanced manufacturing and aerospace careers.
Hands-On Learning Meets Career Preparation
Launched in Fall 2024, the AMLA is a nine-month concurrent enrollment program designed to combine academic coursework, paid work-based learning, and industry-recognized skill development.
Through this program:
Students are hired as interns at Skills Inc., an established aerospace manufacturer, and are paid for up to 25 hours per week of hands-on training.
Students engage in real-world learning with college instructors and industry professionals through a curriculum that blends theory with practice.
Technical training includes CNC machine operation, dimensional inspection, digital inspection tools, robotics, 3D printing, and Lean manufacturing principles.
The program also provides students with mentoring, professional development, and exposure to workplace functions such as cybersecurity, internal auditing, preventive maintenance, and supply chain management.
Clear Pathways to Career and Higher Education
The AMLA is designed to prepare students not only for immediate workplace roles but also for future advancement through additional education and apprenticeships. Supported pathways include associate and bachelor’s degrees, continued industry certifications, or direct entry into high-demand technical positions.
Tuition costs for eligible students are covered through the Running Start program, ensuring equitable access and reducing financial barriers.
Program Growth and Continued Impact
Due to the success of the program’s inaugural year, KSD has expanded student enrollment for the Fall 2025 AMLA cohort, further strengthening the pipeline of skilled talent entering Washington’s advanced manufacturing sector.
“The success of our first AMLA cohort is a testament to the power of partnership and purpose. All 5 students graduated high school, 4 chose to continue their hands-on, paid work with Skills Inc. over the summer, and all five students decided to continue toward their AAS degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technologies at Clover Park Tech this fall. This proves that AMLA isn’t just a program, it’s what I consider a platinum gateway experience for future leaders in advanced manufacturing.” — Carol Cleveland, Executive Director of Community Partners
The PNAA Inspire Award highlights the impact of partnerships between public education, technical colleges, and industry leaders in creating real-world opportunities for students and meeting regional workforce demands.
For more information about the Advanced Manufacturing Leadership Academy, visit: KSD CTE