Strong Schools, Strong Workforce: Why Partnerships with Shelton’s CTE Program Matter

Our first intern in 2024, Yenica from Shelton High School.

Mason County, WA – January 20, 2026 – As leaders of Shelton and Mason County’s businesses support and development organizations, we rely on strong partnerships to sustain and grow our local economy. Without good partners, our work would be more challenging and less impactful. This is especially true when it comes to our work with the Shelton School District and its Career and Technical Education program.

We regularly hear from businesses about the many challenges they face in today’s economy. Rising costs, increasing regulatory pressure and new taxes have combined to make starting and sustaining a business in Washington harder than ever before. Complicating things even more is workforce recruitment and retention issues that leave jobs unfilled and add to the cost of doing business. That’s where Shelton’s CTE program has stepped up.

Under the leadership of Gretchen Maliska and through the hard work of Tye Ramos, Jeff Slakey and many others, Shelton’s CTE program has expanded beyond the classroom and into the community through a 20-hour internship program. By partnering directly with employers, students gain first-hand experience in multiple career fields at a critical time in their development. By partnering with the school district, employers see firsthand the programs their tax dollars support while helping to prepare tomorrow’s workforce.

Students have interned at businesses such as Sierra Pacific Industries, government agencies including the Mason County Department of Community Development and nonprofits such as the Economic Development Council of Mason County. Whether placed in a public agency or a private business, students develop valuable skills, including time management and professional communication with customers in person and by phone, that will serve them well in their future careers.

Most importantly, Shelton’s CTE program helps students envision not just a career, but a future career in Mason County. When schools partner with their communities, as Shelton does, students are more likely to imagine building their lives and raising their families locally. This is vital to ensuring we have a growing community and a thriving economy.

As you consider your role in supporting students and our community in the coming weeks, it is important to keep this program in mind. The CTE internship program is one of many positive initiatives the Shelton School District is advancing to strengthen our community and support student success. Cuts to education and CTE programs today would result in a less skilled workforce and higher social costs tomorrow.

Good schools attract families, businesses, and young professionals, keeping our neighborhoods vibrant and thriving.

Strong schools produce tomorrow’s workforce. Today’s students become tomorrow’s nurses, mechanics, entrepreneurs, firefighters and taxpayers.

Well-funded schools reduce crime, foster innovation and create a skilled workforce that strengthens our local economy.

Partnership matters more than ever, and we are grateful for the partnership of the Shelton School District. Our community has an opportunity to support these students and their future. Let’s seize it.

Our second intern, Lalo. 2025.

Our latest interns Abby and Lane, 2025.