Bridging relationships between education and industry to create immersive career-connected learning that ensures all students have the experience, knowledge, mindset, and skills to successfully navigate toward economically viable careers. 

Scope of Services:

• Support educators with services that lead to real-world career exploration, exposure, and learning experiences amplified by business and industry connections
• Support educators and students in career pathway development/planning
• Engage businesses in providing real-world opportunities for students and help them build relationships with their future workforce.
• Provide individualized support or connection to qualified community organizations for students seeking career guidance, work-based learning (job shadows, internships, apprenticeships, etc.), and employability skills/job attainment.

Career Connected Opportunities:

• Self-Discovery - Discovering student interests, skills, and values
• Career Exposure - Career fairs, business tours, classroom speakers
• Career Exploration - Business Interviews, project-based learning, job shadows
• Employability Skills - Classroom learning, mock interviews
• Work-based Learning - On-the-job training, apprenticeships, mentorships
• Job Skills/Credentials Attainment - Working with industry and higher education
• Career Pathways - Identifying career goals and building plans to help students get there
• Teacher Professional Development - Externships, real-world curriculum integration, CTE licensure support

Value of Services to Key Stakeholders:

• Students see the relevance of what they are learning, make informed plans for their future, and build the necessary knowledge and skills to reach their career goals;
• Educators see the importance of business and industry connections in providing real-world, experiential learning;
• Businesses build relationships with students as a pipeline for the future and better understand their needs/interests in their future workforce;
• Parents are more aware of the variety of opportunities for their youth and support them in the informed pathways they choose; and
• Communities find that young adults are seeking and attaining local/regional careers!

Career Readiness Efforts Support:

• The lack of capacity and resources to provide immersive, real-world experiential learning opportunities and career planning assistance for all students
• The lack of knowledge about career opportunities in rural areas
• The lack of connections between educators, students, and businesses
• The lack of employability and workplace skills required for seeking/attaining jobs
• The gap between the needs and interests of employers and their future workforce