Career Launch

Contact

Genevieve Howard
Policy Associate, Workforce Education
ghoward@sbctc.edu
360-704-3990

Karin Gitchel
Program Administrator, Workforce Education
kgitchel@sbctc.edu 
360-704-3915

Positioning Young Adults for Promising Careers

Part of the former Career Connect Washington initiative, Career Launch programs provide students with real-life work experience related to their classroom studies. Students graduate with skills to be competitive in the job market and with a valuable credential beyond a high school diploma.

Career Launch programs can include:

  • Registered apprenticeships (automatic Career Launch endorsement). View the list of active apprenticeship programs.
  • A post-secondary institution participating in the Washington College Grant, College Bound Scholarship or Passport programs with a paid work-based learning component as a credentials requirement.
  • A secondary career and technical education program that meet credential requirements and include a work-based component.

Legislative Criteria

Per RCW 28C.30.020 (3)(a), “Career Launch programs” are defined as registered apprenticeships and programs that combine:

1. Supervised paid work experience;
2. Aligned classroom learning that meets academic and employer standards (for K-12, aligned with OSPI standards); and
3. A culminating, valuable credential beyond a high school diploma or at least 45 college credits
toward a two- or four-year postsecondary credential.

Endorsement Needed

To be designated as a Career Launch program, the program must first be endorsed. This endorsement also unlocks the door for certain types of state funding. Learn more about the endorsement and the program review process.

Funding

There is one type of funding for Career Launch programs, the Career Launch equipment

Learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply for it.

Career Launch Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Gov. Jay Inslee launched Career Connect Washington (CCW) in 2017 to help young people gain valuable, real-life work experience while they study. This ensures students receive not only high-quality classroom instruction, but hands-on work experience that helps them start a career with employers looking to hire. Career Connect Washington brings together higher education, business and industry leaders, government and state agencies, labor leaders, community leaders and nonprofits, and regional leaders to find ways to better link education and work. The Legislature discontinued funding for Career Connect Washington during the 2025 legislative session.

Community and technical colleges can get involved in Career Connect Washington by receiving program-level Career Launch endorsements, or by partnering with regional networks intended to coordinate community efforts toward career connected learning. Regional networks are organized through the Employment Security Department.

To receive the Career Launch endorsement, you will need to complete the Career Launch Endorsement Review (CLER) application. Learn more about Career Launch endorsements.

Registered apprenticeships are automatically considered Career Launch programs and do not need to apply for the endorsement.

Once your program’s application is received, the CLER team will review the application and endorse the program, ask further questions, or provide feedback for revisions. Programs will be notified of approval or the need for additional information within two weeks for the CLER meeting in which the application was reviewed.