Connect Tri-Cities Events to Be Held Oct. 2 and 3

Connect Tri-Cities is a multi-faceted event, including a job fair, STEM competition, veterans outreach, apprentice panel discussion, resume and interview assistance, science demonstrations, networking, and more. More than $25,000 in giveaways, including books, Chromebooks, wireless headphones, trade tools and more, will be given away on Oct. 3 (must be present to win).

Connect Tri-Cities brings together job seekers, policy makers, educators, labor, Tribes, veterans and industry to build the local workforce of the future. All events are free and open to the public. 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.

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.

Where: Three Rivers Convention Center; 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd. in Kennewick

Tuesday, Oct. 2
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. – High School STEM Scholarship Competition
Seventeen teams of local high school students will participate in oral presentations before a panel of judges. Winners will be announced that evening, with $20,000 being awarded to the top three teams.
5 – 7 p.m. – Opening Reception, Hosted by UA Local 598 (*public by invitation only; media please RSVP)

Wednesday, Oct. 3
7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Job Fair and Resume/Interview Support
Join more than 70 organizations, including organized labor, educators, local businesses and Hanford contractors to learn about employment opportunities. Over 1,000 high school students will be bussed in throughout the day. Human Resources representatives from Hanford contractor Mission Support Alliance will be available to provide resume and interview support.
8 – 9:30 a.m. – Veterans Breakfast (*public by invitation only; media please RSVP)
Keynote speaker Edward DeJesus will discuss the challenges veterans face in finding a job and share advice on navigating these challenges. Nick Weathers with Helmets to Hardhats will also discuss opportunities for veterans.
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Apprentice Panel Discussion
Attendees will learn what an apprentice program is, what programs are available in our community and meet current or recently graduated apprentices.
9:30 – 10 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 1:30 p.m. – Experience Science with Kevin Delaney
Join renowned science presenter Kevin Delaney (you may recognize him from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon) for live action science demonstrations!
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Veterans in PipingTM
Representatives from Helmets to Hardhats and Veterans in PipingTM will present their programs, which help veterans turn their military skills into life-long careers paying a higher family wage.
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Diversity & Inclusion Lunch (*public by invitation only;media please RSVP)
Panelists will include Edward DeJesus; Major (retired) Scott Smiley; Dr. Sandra Haynes, WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor; Dr. Rebekah Woods, Columbia Basin College President; and Semi Bird, Team Concepts Training Services.

RSVP: For the STEM Competition, an RSVP is requested prior to 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 1. For other events, please provide advance notice to our media contact.