To help students prepare for life after high school, the County Office of Education and San Mateo County school districts are using roughly $6 million in K12 Strong Workforce Program grants to strengthen students’ college and career readiness through career technical education (CTE) programs.

The K12 Strong Workforce Program, which awards grants through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, provides funding to support local education agencies in creating, improving, and expanding CTE courses, course sequences, programs of study, and pathways for students transitioning from secondary education to postsecondary education or living-wage employment.

CTE programs expose students to the arts, construction, health, education, and other industry sectors to help them find and develop their passions and explore potential careers. Students engage in events, lessons, pathway courses, workforce training, and other activities to spark their interest in career fields, gain transferable skills, prepare for a successful college experience, and transition smoothly into their career path. These programs are typically aligned with local college programs and industries to equip students with the skills they need to navigate future academic and career opportunities.

The first grant, which was awarded in 2018, focuses on launching, expanding, and developing CTE career pathways and expanding dual enrollment programs and partnerships between districts and local community colleges. Part of this funding was used to develop roughly 25 informational videos highlighting local CTE courses and programs as well as careers and industries. These videos will be released in March 2022 with a video screening and links sent to all school districts to share with students.

K12 Strong Workforce funding was also used to purchase a county-wide license for Headed2 CareerZone, which provides teachers, counselors, and administrators access to professional development to create, strengthen, and implement a career exploration curriculum. This allows students in CTE pathways to start exploring their skills and interests in various careers. Districts have begun to use the Headed2 CareerZone tool and are also hosting various field trips, workshops, and other events to connect students with industry partners. In addition to these efforts, the County Office of Education sends a monthly newsletter to its district partners and is beginning to implement its latest round of funding to improve college and career readiness among students in north San Mateo County.

So far, the grants have brought much-needed resources to school districts to help them strengthen their CTE programs and set students up for success. Looking ahead, the County Office of Education plans to continue its support of school districts in building pathways that align with college programs and labor demands. The County Office will also continue to support districts in developing new middle school pathways, establishing summer work-based learning academies and internships, strengthening dual enrollment programs, and implementing other strategies that improve college and career readiness in San Mateo County.

Photo courtesy of the Jefferson Union High School District.