Highlights from the 2025 CTE Business & Industry Gathering
Building Connections for the Future
On September 30, 2025, educators, students, and local business leaders came together at Singing Rock Ranch in Mount Shasta for the annual CTE Business & Industry Gathering, hosted by SiskiyouWorks. The event brought together high school career and technical education (CTE) programs and regional industries to strengthen collaboration, share insights, and expand opportunities for work-based learning in Siskiyou County.
Strengthening Education-Industry Partnerships
The evening began with networking as faculty, high school students, and local employers connected at assigned advisory tables. Attendees were encouraged to discuss ideas, share experiences, and begin identifying ways to align classroom learning with real-world career skills.
Opening remarks from SiskiyouWorks set the stage for an evening centered on partnership and innovation. Presentations followed from two regional leaders:
James Crandall, Regional Director of Data Strategies for North State Together, shared insights on local job data and CTE completion trends.
Tonya Dowse, Executive Director of the Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC), highlighted current Siskiyou initiatives and opportunities for collaboration.
Advisory Roundtables and Collaborative Planning
Over dinner, participants joined in facilitated roundtable discussions designed to spark actionable strategies for improving connections between schools and industry. Each table explored key questions, such as:
How can we better connect local employers with high schools?
What can we do to expand work-based learning opportunities?
How do we sustain strong relationships between education and business?
These conversations are an essential part of SiskiyouWorks’ mission to ensure that local students gain access to meaningful career pathways while supporting workforce needs throughout the county.
A Sweet Finale: The Dessert Challenge
To close out the evening, culinary students showcased their talents in the “Nature’s Sweet Renewal” Dessert Challenge, creating inventive desserts inspired by sustainability and local ingredients. Guests and judges sampled the entries before announcing the winning team.
Looking Ahead
The CTE Business & Industry Gathering continues to serve as a cornerstone event for fostering collaboration between education and the workforce in Siskiyou County. Through shared data, creative partnerships, and community engagement, SiskiyouWorks and its partners are helping shape a stronger, more connected future for students and local employers alike.
