Downey Unified introduces employers with future workforce

Photo courtesy Stay Gallery

DOWNEY – Downey Unified hosted its first "Downey MADE: A Career Initiative" event last Thursday at the Columbia Memorial Space Center. 

This evening’s program included student demonstrations in different technical fields and speeches by Phil Davis, head of the Downey MADE Career Initiative, DUSD superintendent Dr. John Garcia, and Downey mayor Alex Saab. 

"Formally known as CTE (Career Technical Education), the Downey MADE Initiative is meant to provide students of all ages with the academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers and to become lifelong learners," organizers said. "The program involves a multi-year sequence of courses that integrates rigorous core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and/or careers."

The Career Initiative event was meant to educate local industry/business partners about Downey MADE and its goal of offering internship opportunities to high school students in different fields. These range from law, engineering, marketing to culinary arts.

The event gave businesses an opportunity to meet their future workforce and to learn how they can create a stronger Downey community by offering real life work experiences to high school students in different career and technical fields. 

Employers from different sectors were invited to meet and learn about what Downey Unified is doing to prepare and shape our future leaders.