Agenda Item: 11a_supp Meeting Date: March 24, 2026 TALENT CONNECTIONS COMMISSION BRIEFING 3/24/2026 High School Intern - Youth enrolled/recent graduates of local high schools in King County TALENT CONNECTIONS PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES Post-Secondary Intern - Active/recent students affiliated with higher education institutions Veteran Fellow - Recently separated veterans from all U.S. military branches Port Pathway Program - New program in 2026 offering internship experiences to those not directly affiliated with higher education 2 PROGRAM OFFERINGS Summer Winter 20 High School Interns 40 High School Interns 58 Post-Secondary Interns 4 Port Pathway Program 134 Spring 3 Veteran Fellows Fall 3 Veteran Fellows 6 Post-Secondary Interns 3 HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM WINTER  Partner with Maritime H.S. and Raisbeck Aviation H.S.  Maritime and Aviation cohorts  Project based model w/ sponsors  AV - Innovation Projects  Escalator Safety Improvements for Passengers  Little Free Book Library Sustainability  Maritime - Experiential Learning Project  Develop maritime-focused field trips and experiential learning activities for Duwamish Valley youth. 4 HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM SUMMER  Open to all HS students  Focus on near Port communities  Promoted through community partners and local schools  Culminating project presentation  Integrated department model 5 Workshops Branding & Communications Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Financial Literacy Interviewing Informational Interviewing LinkedIn PowerPoint Professionalism Project Management Public Speaking Resumes Stress Management Workplace Conflicts and Collaboration 6 Community Partner Engagement 7 OUTREACH 101 community partner connections ? 66 youth events attended 23 youth focused information sessions/tours Serves those affiliated with a higher educational institution 8 2025 H.S Interns - King County Equity Index 7% 5% 2% COMMUNITIES SERVED 6% 47% 33% Very Low Low High Very High Outside King County Unknown 9 HS PROGRAM IMPACTS 10 POSTSECONDARY PROGRAM  64 Post-Secondary opportunities  38 Full-time Summer  26 Year-long (PERS Eligible)  31 Participating departments 11 POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM IMPACTS 12 SUCCESSES Post-Secondary Interns Internship 27 FTE Roles 28 Temporary Roles *Conversions since 2020 High School Interns Internship 5 FTE Roles 1 Temporary Role 13 NEW PATHWAY PROGRAM PILOT New internship-like program to support those who have and continue to experience barriers in pursuing higher education and quality job experience. Priority Communities: Program Focus: • Open new pathways into work at the Port Provide work experience and opportunities for development • Prepare participants to apply for Port roles or other industry-aligned positions • Create equitable career mobility and wage gain • Benefit from previously untapped talent • • • • • • • • Homeless Individuals Immigrants Indigenous Groups Justice-Involved Individuals Low-Income Individuals People with Disabilities Single Parents Veterans 14 BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION Pay aligned to market Work experience in area of interest Access to Port of Seattle workshops and development programs Personalized career planning support 15 2026 PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES Program Opportunities Launching Q2 2026 Aviation Customer Service Human Resources Shilshole Bay Marina Waterfront Project Management Temporary job placement of 6-12 months Career mobility without bachelor's degrees Aligned with Port roles requiring < 2 years experience Roles with increased potential of job openings 16 Questions/Comments 17