The EnviroChallenger program teaches free environmental lessons with a mix of science, social responsibility and fun in Tacoma's second through eighth grade classrooms and for home-schooled students. All the lessons include supplies and support state standardized test objectives. When you need engaging, high-quality environmental science lessons, bring in the EnviroChallengers!

Learn more about the EnviroChallenger Program

Jobs 253 offers Tacoma Public Schools' incoming juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn high school credit for graduation and the opportunity to gain meaningful work experience.

Learn more about Jobs 253

The City of Tacoma offers many internships throughout the year, including one through Tacoma Power for Electrical Engineers. Please refer to the City's Job Hub web page for available internships.

Electrical Engineering Internship

City of Tacoma's Job Hub

Tacoma Public Utilities has several apprenticeship tracks through Tacoma Power and Tacoma Water. 

Tacoma Power and Water Apprenticeships

Purpose

The purpose of the Tacoma Training and Employment Program (TTEP) is to:

1. Provide for the development of a trained and capable workforce by providing training and education opportunities to residents of the City of Tacoma and residents of the Economically Distressed Areas of the Tacoma Public Utilities Service Area.
2. Increase access to employment that directly combats poverty and unemployment by providing training, resources, and employment opportunities to community members.
3. The program's efforts will also reflect the desire of the City of Tacoma to support a local workforce that represents the diverse population of city residents. 

Background

TTEP programming includes the following key components:

1. Recruitment and enrollment assessment
2. Employment Readiness Training
3. Case management and retention to address barrier reduction that supports program completion
4. Access to support/wrap around services that include math and reading classes to achieve 9th grade level prior to graduation
5. Job placement assistance

The program aims to create opportunities for workers to acquire the skills, experience and education they need to secure increasingly complex and better compensated jobs and careers. 

TTEP is funded by the City of Tacoma (General Government and Tacoma Public Utilities) and includes several organizations in a broad-based collaborative partnership. 

For more information on this program, please contact Kacee Woods, Equity in Contracting & Workforce Programs Manager at kwoods@cityoftacoma.org or 253-244-2613.

For information about City of Tacoma jobs, see our Job Hub page. 

Here in the South Sound, Joint Base Lewis-McChord — one of the country’s top-five largest bases — has approximately 40,000 active-duty service members at any given time, many of whom separate or retire  here. Additionally, service members who are stationed elsewhere but were raised here might elect to return. Other veterans may depart their last duty stations and transplant into the South Sound without any local ties.

Many of these individuals will need to learn a new skill or how to translate their military-instilled attributes into civilian language to win private-sector employment.

Fortunately, there are many programs in the South Sound and beyond that can help transitioning service members do just that.

Hot Shop Heroes - Museum of Glass 
Hot Shop Heroes is a program for military personnel and veterans, may of whom are coping with traumatic experiences and injuries sustained in combat.

Military Manufacturing Career Pathways (AJAC) Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships - WorkEx Internship Program
WorkEx is a partnership between the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Mountain Workforce Development, AJAC, and partnering employers to offer structured internship opportunities for transitioning military members. 

Orting Veterans Farm
Veterans can lease fertile farmland, connect with and learn from other veteran farmers, attend trainings and workshops, and volunteer to grow food for the community. 

Other Resources
Commercial Drivers School
Microsoft's Transition to Tech
Saint Martin's Vets to Tech
SmartHeroes
Washington State Military Transition and Readiness Council