FUTURE READY

ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL

TECHNOLOGY PATHWAYS

(FREIT)

Building clear pathways from education to high-wage careers powering North Central Washington.

What is FREIT?

The Future Ready Energy & Industrial Technology (FREIT) Pathways Project is a regional effort connecting education and industry to prepare local students for high-skill, high-wage careers in energy, utilities, industrial technology, and infrastructure.

Working with educators, employers, postsecondary institutions, and community partners, FREIT is building a coordinated pathway from K–12 education to credentials, career-connected learning, and employment. The goal is to help local students access growing opportunities while strengthening the skilled workforce our region needs.

North Central Washington Talent Pipeline &
Labor Market Snapshot

68%

Family-sustaining entry-level jobs in the region require a credential beyond high school.

48%

Jobs also require STEM literacy - fluency in science, technology, engineering and math concepts.

34%

Local students currently on track to access these family sustaining career pathways.

The FREIT Pathway

HIGH SCHOOL

CTE + DUAL CREDIT

Build a strong foundation through CTE and core academic courses.

Gain technical skills while earning college credit in high school.

REGIONAL CAREER

Step into high-skill, high-wage opportunities close to home.

CAREER-CONNECTED LEARNING

Apply learning through internships, apprenticeships, and work-based experiences.

POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIAL

Complete a certificate or degree aligned to in-demand careers.

FREIT is building the connections between each step.

Building North Central Washington’s Future Workforce

North Central Washington’s energy, utility, industrial technology, and infrastructure sectors are creating growing demand for a skilled local workforce.

FREIT brings educators, postsecondary institutions, employers, and community partners together to align education and training with regional workforce needs. By connecting coursework, credentials, industry-recognized skills, and work-based learning, the pathway will help students move more clearly from education into high-skill, high-wage careers across our region.

Why Now?

Regional Workforce Demand

Connected Education Pathways

Industry-Recognized Skills

Work-Based Learning

A Stronger Local Talent Pipeline

Identify workforce demand, projected hiring needs, critical occupations, and the credentials required for high-demand careers.

Align secondary and postsecondary coursework so students have a clearer path from high school to credentials and careers.

Connect coursework and learning experiences to the competencies and technical skills regional employers need.

Create opportunities for internships, job shadows, apprenticeships, and other employer-supported learning experiences.

Expand student awareness, recruitment, credential attainment, and career preparation while helping regional employers connect with skilled local candidates.

A Pathway Built for Regional Impact

FREIT is designed to serve regional workforce development needs while creating meaningful opportunities for students, employers, educational institutions, and communities across North Central Washington.