In recent years, California has invested more than $1.4 billion in grants and initiatives to develop and strengthen career pathways. While this work has resulted in many new partnerships and programs, the state’s New Skills for Youth (NSFY) Phase One needs assessment illuminated the necessity to strengthen cross-state collaboration and data sharing to create a more cohesive and sustainable career readiness system. California’s early achievements and action plan aim to “glue together” disparate initiatives to promote quality at the local level.
Phase One of JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s New Skills for Youth grant extended from May to October 2016. With bold visions for improving career readiness in K-12 education, each Phase One state spent the grant period performing a diagnostic assessment of their career preparation system and preparing for implementation of a new action plan. This snapshot describes California’s experience and progress in Phase One, including promising practices and innovations. Additional snapshots from other Phase One New Skills for Youth states are available here.
