Well-paying jobs and career opportunities are increasingly hard to find without a postsecondary degree or industry-recognized credential. Yet many young people, especially students of color and those from low-income families, lack access to educational opportunities that can prepare them for these jobs.

Communities are increasingly looking to high-quality career and technical education (CTE) to meet employers’ needs and improve economic opportunities for youth. Rigorous academic and technical programs can ensure that all students––including those that are low-income and youth of color––develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in college and career. Programs that coordinate with employers can ensure that there is a stronger pipeline of job-ready individuals, as well as employment opportunities waiting for youth when they graduate.

We are eager to see how Pay for Success can expand promising education programs like these, narrowing the opportunity gap and providing young people with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving economy.

Read the source article at americaforward.org