Learning Through Experience
July 2025 – Sometimes the best way to understand a career is to step into the workplace and see it in action. That’s exactly what this summer’s Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) worksite tours offered to local students: a chance to explore industries, meet professionals, and start shaping their vision for the future.
SkillSource partners with local schools, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and area employers to support students with disabilities as they prepare for life after high school. Through Pre-ETS, eligible students—those with IEPs, 504 plans, or documented disabilities—gain early exposure to careers through hands-on learning, including worksite tours, job readiness workshops, and paid work experiences. These opportunities are designed to build skills, boost confidence, and spark curiosity about what comes next.
This summer, 30 students joined SkillSource staff for a week of immersive tours. Traveling by van—and, on one day, by Link Transit bus—students visited a variety of local worksites. With guidance from their youth trainers, they asked thoughtful questions, engaged with employees, and walked away with new ideas about how their interests could align with real-world careers.
At Confluence Health Hospital, one student sparked a deeper conversation during a discussion on healthcare and prescription costs by asking, “Why would there need to be advertising for medication?” It was one of many moments that demonstrated how eager students were to understand not just what people do, but why they do it.
From transportation and healthcare to auto service and employment programs, the diversity of worksites helped students connect classroom learning to practical applications. These experiences open doors—encouraging students to imagine new possibilities and build a foundation for future success.
Thank you to our partners — Link Transit, Confluence Health, Town Toyota, and WorkSource — for opening your doors, sharing your expertise, and supporting the next generation of workers.
See more in our photo galleries:
2025 Pre-ETS Worksite Tours
WorkSource East Wenatchee Tour
