Connect Tri-Cities Events Announced, Including High School STEM Competition

After a successful event in 2017, organizers are excited to announce Connect Tri-Cities 2018 on October 3. Connect Tri-Cities will bring job seekers, policy makers, educators, labor, Tribes, veterans and industry together to build the local workforce of the future. Connect Tri-Cities 2018 is designed to enable career path and job connections and is a unique opportunity to engage with the Tri-Cities community, small businesses and the young minds of our future.

One of the highlights of the event is the STEM Scholarship Competition for High School students, which will take place on Tuesday, October 2. Teams of five students and a faculty advisor from local high schools will put their STEM skills to the test to “Escape the Island” in this hands-on challenge. The 1st place team will receive a $2,000 scholarship for each student team member and $1,000 for the faculty coach. 2nd and 3rd places will receive $1,000/$750 and $500/$500, respectively. Registrations are now being accepted and are due by midnight on September 12. Competition space is limited. Teams can register at http://connect-tricities.com/schools.

In addition to the STEM Scholarship Competition, Connect Tri-Cities will feature an all-day job fair on Wednesday, October 3. A wide range of community employers, including Hanford contractors and national laboratories will be present, along with representatives from organized labor, careers in manufacturing and more. On-site resume review and interview preparation will also be available.

Connect Tri-Cities will also include breakout sessions for veteran and labor job connections, featuring Veterans in Piping™ and local labor unions. A Veterans’ breakfast, featuring keynote speaker Edward DeJesus, is anticipated to be a popular part of the event, and is open to all veterans. A diversity & inclusion panel discussion is also scheduled, featuring Edward DeJesus; Major (retired) Scott Smiley; Dr. Sandra Haynes, Chancellor of WSU Tri-Cities; Dr. Rebekah Woods, President of Columbia Basin College; and Semi Bird, Executive Director of Team Concepts Training Services.

More information and a detailed schedule can be found at connect-tricities.com or through our media contact. Connect Tri-Cities is a unique community event championed by TRIDEC and sponsored by Hanford contractor Mission Support Alliance and their corporate partners Leidos and Centerra Group.