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Lives Changed.
From day 1, the mission of the Pathfinder Student Learning Program has been to ensure that all at-risk and vulnerable students in the Puget Sound region graduate from high school with the skills and confidence to achieve success in life. We help our students discover and live up to their highest potential, instilling a combination of life and work skills, strong values and ethics, and employment experience, with particular emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, self-management, and communication skills.
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For over 30 years, our program graduates have gone on to establish rewarding careers in manufacturing and other industries, as well as enroll in post-secondary education.
We are proud of each and every one of them.
Testimonials
Margie T (Arlington HS)
March 2018 Trainee of the Month
First I would like to thanks Mrs. Mose for recommending this program to me. When I first heard about WFDC, I thought it was for boys because most of the students were boys. At first, I was kind of nervous to apply because I didn’t think I would make the interview but Mrs. Mose had us study for weeks for the interview. It really help me a lot. During my interview, I thought I did terrible because I thought I looked really nervous and not prepared but since I am here, I guess I did pretty good. The reason I wanted to go in this field was because I thought it would be a good experience and education for me to have and also give me tons of opportunities for my future. I would say my overall experience has been pretty amazing. WFDC is a wonderful program to get in. It helped me a lot. Getting a paycheck really helped around the holidays too. The years of not being able to get my family and friends anything was sad but when I got into this program, I was able to get everybody something that they would love. I just love that I got to start working for Work Force which will get me into a career before I even graduate. It made the future so much easier for me.
Skye Joe (Kamiak High School)
I first heard about Work Force Development Center from my older brother who attended WFDC. The way he talked about WFDC, it was good things like earning credits, building up a resume and getting paid! So I signed up and pretty fast I was told we would do an interview. I was so nervous about coming here, but everyone made me feel very welcome. To surprise, my teacher told me “looks like you got into WFDC.” From day one of WFDC, being through six weeks of class, a Boeing tour, and WFDC graduation, this program has shown me how to interpret aerospace drawing, mechanical skills, working in team, etc. I’m truly thankful being a part of WFDC.
Sean Justice (Scriber Lake High School)
I had the fortunate chance of finding out about Work Force Development Center through my teacher and with some hard work, I managed to get a position in the program. I came to WFDC is because I was at a very tough spot in my life. I was making poor choices. Work Force gave me a chance – the program gave me hope that I can change. While I am still developing as a young man and member of society, I know that with the family I’ve made from WFDC, I am taking the right steps into a bright and successful future.
Chris Tabor (Stanwood High School)
Tera F (Edmonds Woodway HS)
I heard about WFDC through school, I was told that they were willing to help students of all sorts, even deaf ones like me. I was told at WFDC I would learn approximately every department while earning school credits and earn a paycheck for my work. All of which interested me, but nothing more than how they help you find a job in aerospace after you graduate. I enjoyed working there as a student, and I enjoy it still as a current full time employee.
Ariana S (Marysville-Getchell HS)
I originally applied to Work Force Development Center because one of my best friends at the time told me she was going to try to get into the program. She didn’t wind up following through with it, but I’m so glad I did. Work Force has opened my eyes to 100+ opportunities I never knew existed. I am so excited to say that coming here was one of the best decisions I could have ever made for my future. In the time I’ve worked at WFDC, I’ve learned how to read Boeing drawings, make/inspect quality parts, along with experiencing what it’s like to have a real job outside of high school life. WFDC has opened up so many doors I had never been exposed to before. They’ve helped me learn important skills I need to better prepare for future jobs and careers to come.
Matthew W (Shorewood HS)
Brandon B. (Scriber Lake HS)
First of all, I want to thank Mrs. Bowers for recommending me to Work Force, and I want to thank Work Force for hiring me because I have no clue where I would be right now. Before I got the job at Work Force, I had been looking for work but no one would hire me. I wanted to work to get a job to help my mom out and my family going through tough times. When I got the job, I knew that it would be a long time before I got my first paycheck, but when I did, I was able to buy the food for dinner, which was my goal – to help out at home. Work Force helped me with that. I don’t see Work Force as a job anymore. I see Work Force as a big family helping anyone in need and I recommend it to anyone.
Jonathan Q-T (Sultan HS)
Tristin F. (Edmonds-Woodway HS)
Cody J (Kamiak High School)
I came to WFDC because it was an opportunity to take advantage of. Joining WFDC was an amazing thing that happened to me because I am learning new things every day and meeting new people. The employees are nice and care about each other and teamwork. I never thought I would be doing stuff like this – it’s not just for work – it’s also helping me to get credits for school. This experience has been phenomenal – I like to be at WFDC every day and seeing the people I work with. I am really thankful for everything. I wouldn’t have done it without the help and support to take advantage of this program. It will lead to something more – to graduate high school first and then unlock many doors.
Tim D. (Stanwood High School)
Becca S (Marysville Getchell HS)
Tanner S. (Arlington High School)
Alysha B. (Stanwood High School)
George M. (Everett High School)
Alana C. (Monroe High School)
WFDC is so amazing! I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to learn how to make airplane parts. Being here has really taught me a lot and I am so happy to have made new friends here. I want to say thank you to the CEO Dave for being my mentor for my senior project!
Keenan S. (Arlington High School)
WFDC is an amazing opportunity. It has helped me to build my future in aerospace and further my education. Thanks to WFDC I have achieved my dreams in aerospace and am on my way to Boeing
Aushinaee W. (Shorewood High School)
Daniel L (Mountain View High School)
Justin P (Weston High School)
WFDC has been a lot more than just some job for me. It is like a second chance because it didnt only give me a job, it brightened my future.
Erminio M. (Mountlake Terrace High School)
Zach N. (Shorewood High School)
Nick “Anmol” A. (Mountlake Terrace High School)
Ryan K (Meadowdale High School)
Josh C. (Monroe High School)
Yoshua “Yoshi” A. (Edmonds-Woodway High School)
Erik K. (Edmonds Woodway High School)
Dakota B. (Marysville Pilchuk High School)
Clint (Arlington High School)
WFDC got me great job experience. I went through many trials and triumphs.
Aidan (Edmonds Woodway High School)
Jordan B. (Stanwood High School)
Work Force is a great program to get experience in a thriving field before you are even out of high school. It has helped me to gain confidence in doing this type of work and was a huge kick start to helping me in my career in aerospace.
Carole Lewis (Scriber Lake High School)
Nancy Forsberg (Edmonds Woodway High School)
Nathan (Sultan High School)
What I think about Work Force is that it’s a program for students that need this as a job and for knowledge to use in the future for their career job to make more money and more goals, also an opportunity to other teens that need this.
Mike Woogerd (Mobile Tool Management)
WFDC has never let me down. When I need help, the always provide excellent service. No job is too large or too small. For the services they offer, they are very good.
Deena (Edmonds Woodway High School)
Anthony S (Everett High School)
Heather Hollingsworth (Snohomish High School)
Ryan (Arlington High School)
James (Granite Falls High School)
Bryan (Lynnwood High School)
Jason (Shorewood High School)
I like this job, it gives me good experience.
Anthony (Arlington High School)
Calvin (Edmonds-Woodway High School)
Alex (Monroe High School and Employee)
As a graduate of the program in 2006, Work Force Development Center has become more than a place to just get paid and earn credit for school. I felt I would be working at Safeway for the rest of my life. Having successfully completed the program then being hired as a full-time instructor has changed that. I have a great job, working full-time and having a great time doing it.
Gabriella (Arlington High School)
This program taught me how to be responsible and how work works. It also taught me how to work hard and change mistake that can be made. It helped me finish my school credits so now I can finish school and move on.
Cheryl Berg (Granite Falls School District)
Gabriel P (Mountlake Terrace High School)
I found out about WFDC when Carmela (Director of Student Services) came to visit my school. She told us about the program, what students could do there. I decided to apply so I could learn something that was interesting. I wanted to learn something hands on, something real and new. I feel that the three…
Dominique G (Meadowdale High School)
I found out about Work Force Development Center when my teacher Ms. Burns asked me if I was interested in the WFDC program and I said yes so she signed me in. I chose to apply because I thought it will be pretty cool to make airplane parts and work for Boeing. Also, we would…
Kaleb S (Open Doors Marysville)
I found out about Work Force Development Center through my Counselor, Mr. Trace Prael of Legacy High School. I wanted to apply to WFDC because it was a chance to better myself for the Machining and Fabrication Fields that I feel will put me in the right direction in life. The three most important things…