Rural Pathways confab scheduled for May 9 at Colfax

A Rural Pathways to Prosperity Conference, part of a statewide effort to help provide youth better job preparation and more opportunities to learn valuable work skills, will be Wednesday, May 9. This conference is free and will be from 9 a.m. until noon at the Whitman County Public Service Building auditorium in Colfax.

Another session will be at the Clarkston Campus of Walla Walla Community College, Lecture Hall, 1470 Bridge Street, Clarkston.

This will be a day of inspiration, learning and regional networking to make better connections between business, educators and students without leaving your community.

Participants in more than 18 sites across rural Washington will simultaneously watch Brent Parton, a national expert, sharing best rural practices across the nation and state, and Chris Reykdal, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction share statewide activities, resources and opportunities.

After their presentations, each site will put their ideas into action through discussions and activities.

Community leaders will be able to ask questions and learn more about how to help young people in their own area gain work experience.

The conference is sponsored by WSU Extension in partnership with Washington Workforce Board, Association of Washington Cities, USDA-Rural Development, and Career Connect Washington.