The North Carolina New Skills for Youth (NSFY) Phase One project team envisions a career readiness system that exposes students to career preparation, work-based learning, rigorous academic and technical coursework, career development plans for grades 9-14, career pathway completion and career exploration. During Phase One, the state made early progress toward achieving this vision by developing a work-based learning toolkit, piloting a work-based learning survey, and creating a plan of action that leverages employer expertise at the state level through key industry networks.
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 North Carolina’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.