The U.S. Department of Education launched a new initiative to support career-connected learning and boost job pathways for young Americans.
In a Nov. 14 U.S. Department of Commerce news release, Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success, a new Biden-Harris administration initiative supported by the Departments of Commerce and Labor, was officially launched by the U.S. Department of Education. Its goal is to increase and expand access to high-quality training programs to support young Americans in pursuing jobs in today's in-demand fields and preparing for future careers.
“It’s time we bridge the divide between our K-12 systems and our college, career and industry preparation programs, which leave too many students behind and perpetuate inequities in our most diverse, underserved and rural communities," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in the release.
Cardona went on to talk about how a new education system can be conditioned to fit the demands of the future, the release reported.
“An education system reimagined for the 21st century engages youth of all ages in the power of career-connected learning and provides every student with the opportunity to gain real-life work experience, earn college credits, and make progress towards an industry credential before they graduate high school," Cardona said in the release. "Today, the Biden-Harris team is raising the bar with new investments and resources to support intentional collaboration between schools, colleges, workforce development agencies and industry partners and build clearer pathways for students to rewarding careers and lifelong success.”
The Department also released new guidance on how federal funds can be used to develop and expand career pathway programs, including Registered Apprenticeships, according to the release. The Department is announcing $5.6 million in Perkins funding for a new program to increase work-based learning opportunities for students. The Department will host regional summits with students, educators, employers and other stakeholders to learn about strategies that have produced success and issues that need to be resolved.
