I am pleased to announce to the CUSD community that our San
Diego County California Career Pathways Trust Grant (CCPT) has been awarded
more than $13 million by the California Department of Education. The goal of
this grant is to build coordinated systems for career exploration and
work-based learning experiences for high school students across the county. The
end result is to better prepare our graduates for the high-wage, high-demand
jobs that await them when they leave the educational system.
For the last two years, Carlsbad Unified has been an active
partner in the San Diego County College and Career Readiness Consortium, a
county-wide network of high school and community college districts that
includes 116 high schools and eight community college campuses, led by the San
Diego County Office of Education. Partners also include Qualcomm, the United
Way and the San Diego Workforce Partnership.
The grant will support career pathway programming through
professional development for teachers and counselors, curriculum development,
technology, and the purchase of other materials/equipment for student use. The
project focuses on careers in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and
information and communications technology.
A major element of the grant will be the creation of a
county-wide web portal that aligns career-related activities across the county,
including professional development, job shadowing, mentoring, and data reporting
on student participation rates. The goal is to establish a coordinated system
whereby the business and school communities can connect students to working
professionals in STEM and manufacturing industries.
Carlsbad
Unified expects to receive $400,000 over the next two years to implement the
grant. In addition to expanding our high school pathways, funds will be used to
further develop the career readiness skills of high school students such as
time management, collaboration, problem solving, leadership, and communication.
These “soft skills” are vital components of what every industry is seeking in
their future employees.
The $13
million award was one of 40 competitive grants awarded throughout the State and
the only grant received in San Diego.
