Career Pathways are an important component of a bigger purpose in our public education system. Our youth need access to career information sooner so they can make informed decisions before they graduate High School. As our STEM curriculum at the K-12 level improves, it’s important that students can relate the skills learned to where that can lead them for a career as an adult. On the Central Coast, we also have the Digital Nest which provides a positive environment and feeder mechanism into technical careers.
On average only 44% of students who complete high school will enroll in a 4-year college. It’s important to have alternate career pathways which lead to skilled employment opportunities. Our community colleges offer technical curriculum without the express requirement of obtaining an Associate degree. As an alternative, students can enroll in technical classes with a specific certification or career path in mind. This training can act as a pre-apprenticeship and serves as a prerequisite to our Apprenticeship Programs. As in traditional trades, applying a vocational training approach serves as the last hop on the pathway to employment.
Over time the skills gap between public education and job requirements has continued to grow. Apprenticeships are the perfect solution to the skills gap, in particular because the apprentice is trained directly on the relevant subjects and skills they will need to perform the job duties.
