The Anchorage School District in Alaska is implementing high school career 'academies' as part of a major shift in the district's curriculum. The academies will offer job trainings, internships, and certifications to prepare students for their post-graduation careers. The district hosted a summit to gather input from elected officials, industry leaders, parents, and students to determine the focus of the academies based on community need and student interest. The initiative will begin with a freshman seminar in fall 2024, where ninth-grade students will explore career possibilities and their own skills and interests. In fall 2025, sophomore students will choose a career track to focus on for the remainder of high school. Each high school will offer three to six academies for students to select from, with the option to switch academies. The district is also working on a transportation plan for students who want to attend an academy at a different school. The academies will include a mix of internships, apprenticeships, certifications, and college courses. The goal is to provide students with a well-rounded education and a quicker path to a career that pays a good wage. The initiative aims to address the drop in attendance and outmigration of young people from Anchorage, as well as the need for a skilled workforce in the state.
Convergint, a service-based systems integrator, has launched an apprenticeship program for high school students to gain hands-on technical skills in the security sector. The Technical Apprenticeship Program (TAP) aims to address the talent gap in the systems integration industry by providing students with a course curriculum that offers transferable skills and career opportunities in the security sector. The program includes two-and-a-half weeks of instruction and lab coursework, followed by approximately 50 weeks of on-the-job training. The training is facilitated through Convergint's Pro Learning app, which tracks progress and guides students to full certification in their chosen field. The program was initially implemented in California's Compton Unified School District, with plans to expand to schools across the country. Convergint partnered with Dominguez High School, where teachers attended a two-week training course led by Convergint employees to prepare for instructing and testing students on core skills. The company aims to create a strong talent pipeline and open doors for the next generation of talent in the security systems integration industry.
Junior Achievement (JA) of Alaska is working to address the workforce shortage in Alaska by helping young Alaskans become better prepared for the workforce. JA programs are designed to engage students from kindergarten to high school, providing them with the tools they need to increase their chances of achieving their potential in work, career, and life. Research shows that JA alumni are more likely to work in a field they studied in college, work in their dream career, and have a strong financial footing. JA also focuses on financial literacy, viewing it as 'the other literacy' that is essential for daily life. Additionally, JA offers programs that cover entrepreneurship and small business, giving students the tools to increase their chances of starting or owning a business as adults. The organization believes that by providing young entrepreneurs with the proper information, tools, and guidance, they can increase their chances of success. JA alumni have reported starting or owning a business, and many say that JA positively influenced their perception of business owners or community leaders.
The Anchorage School District's implementation of high school career academies aligns with Junior Achievement's mission to prepare students for the workforce and increase their chances of success in work, career, and life. The academies will provide students with job trainings, internships, and certifications, while JA programs offer tools and resources to help students achieve their potential. Together, these initiatives aim to address the workforce shortage in Alaska and provide young Alaskans with the skills and knowledge they need for their post-graduation careers. By focusing on career exploration, hands-on training, and financial literacy, both the Anchorage School District and Junior Achievement are working to create a stronger workforce and economy in Alaska.
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- Anchorage School District: [uuid]
- Convergint: [uuid]
- Junior Achievement of Alaska: [uuid]