Latest news with #JobsfortheFuture
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
Life after lockup: Coffee Creek gives inmates a second chance with construction skills
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A groundbreaking program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility is giving incarcerated women a second chance and a solid foundation for the future. The initiative, which provides hands-on training for high-demand construction jobs, is gaining national attention for its innovative approach to reentry and rehabilitation. More details released in Gateway Fred Meyer closure impacting hundreds of workers Ashley Lautenschlager knows the difference a second chance can make. 'I was here at Coffee Creek. I did five years here,' Lautenschlager said. Nearly a year after her release, Ashley is now a proud ironworker apprentice, currently working on the Abernethy Bridge project. She credits her success to the Union Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training (U-PACT) program, a 12-week course that equips women with trade skills in areas like cement masonry, bricklaying, and ironwork. 'I went straight to work when I got out,' she said. 'Now I'm up to $39 per hour.' Launched by the national nonprofit Jobs for the Future, Oregon is one of only six regions in the U.S. selected for the initiative. U-PACT not only aims to address labor shortages in the trades, but also to reduce recidivism by providing meaningful employment opportunities to women upon release. 74-year-old man dead after falling 30 feet from cliff near Washougal River Current inmate Tessa Smithey is one of the participants working toward that goal. With roughly eight months to a year left in prison, she's already envisioning a new life outside of Coffee Creek. 'I just have a fresh start with a career and a life,' Smithey said. Like many others in the program, Tessa once feared reentering society. But with new skills in her toolbox—and a renewed sense of purpose—she now sees a path forward. 'We don't ever have to go back to that life … to the things we were doing before,' she added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gen Z Wants Career Advice. But Their Parents Are Lost Too
Credit - Olga Pankova—Getty Images Good news, parents: Your Gen Z kids are actually listening to you—at least when it comes to their post-high school plans. n a recent survey conducted by Gallup, Jobs for the Future, and the Walton Family Foundation, 90% of Gen Z students said they trust their parents to advise them on next steps after high school. Teachers were a distant second at 54%—and social media didn't even crack double digits. The bad news? Parents say they don't know enough about the vast majority of valuable education and training options their children could pursue. They're especially in the dark about anything that isn't either pursuing a career directly or getting a bachelor's degree. And parents aren't alone. The survey found that even school counselors—professionals specifically tasked with providing this kind of guidance—say they feel underprepared to help students adapt to the future labor landscape. There are, after all, a finite number of traditional colleges, but a seemingly infinite number of pathways beyond college. What comes after high school can now just as easily mean enrolling in a short-term training program, joining the military, starting a business, or entering a registered apprenticeship. Though data consistently demonstrates that workers with a traditional four-year degree earn more than those without, students today have a range of education and training options including credentials and apprenticeships, which can also lead to serious increases in earnings. But most of these programs are still sorely lacking in reliable data to prove that they actually lead to a good return on investment—so it's no wonder that they can be difficult for parents or other mentors to navigate. The challenge is particularly acute for first-generation students or those from lower-income households, who are much less likely to know about high-quality postsecondary options than those whose parents went to college. A 2023 survey by JFF and American Student Assistance found that nearly one-third of high school graduates who weren't pursuing college said they lacked confidence in knowing the steps they needed to take to transition into a post-high school career or education. About two-thirds said they would have considered alternative pathway programs if they had more information about them. A single conversation can open a door. This spring's survey found that on average, teens whose parents have discussed a particular pathway with them are about twice as likely as their peers to say they're interested in that pathway. But parents can't have those conversations if they aren't aware of the full set of options themselves. Fortunately, there are ways to help. For students, it can be as simple as asking your parents, guardians, or other adults how they ended up in the job they're in. You may be surprised by their answers. And parents have a role to play by leading those career conversations—and starting them early. Weave conversations about careers into daily life and normal school days—not just captured in one-off career days. Visit colleges in-person and encourage your kids to try a summer internship. Help them understand how their interests and curiosities connect to both jobs and what they're learning. Take advantage of resources like How We See Us, which sheds light on the experiences of nearly 4,000 students about their post-high school pathways. And explore local workforce boards, community colleges, and employer-led training programs that increasingly offer free or low-cost pathways into in-demand fields. States and schools can also play a role by ensuring that career navigation support is widely available and relevant, and by making sure career navigation support isn't just aimed at students, but at families, too. And employers need to insert themselves into the conversation as well. That can include everything from internship programs in their communities, to apprenticeships, to engaging directly with schools, counselors, and students themselves. The more businesses do to help students understand what their company is, how it works, how to get there, and what success looks like, the better the outcomes for company and student alike. Gen Z is listening—and they're asking for direction. Parents can help ensure that every student has access to the information and guidance they need to make confident, informed choices about life after high school. But they can't do it alone. Contact us at letters@
Time Magazine
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time Magazine
Gen Z Wants Career Advice. But Their Parents Are Lost Too
Good news, parents: Your Gen Z kids are actually listening to you—at least when it comes to their post-high school plans. In a recent survey conducted by Gallup and Jobs for the Future, 90% of Gen Z students said they trust their parents to advise them on next steps after high school. Teachers were a distant second at 54%—and social media didn't even crack double digits. The bad news? Parents say they don't know enough about the vast majority of valuable education and training options their children could pursue. They're especially in the dark about anything that isn't either pursuing a career directly or getting a bachelor's degree. And parents aren't alone. The survey found that even school counselors—professionals specifically tasked with providing this kind of guidance—say they feel underprepared to help students adapt to the future labor landscape. There are, after all, a finite number of traditional colleges, but a seemingly infinite number of pathways beyond college. What comes after high school can now just as easily mean enrolling in a short-term training program, joining the military, starting a business, or entering a registered apprenticeship. Though data consistently demonstrates that workers with a traditional four-year degree earn more than those without, students today have a range of education and training options including credentials and apprenticeships, which can also lead to serious increases in earnings. But most of these programs are still sorely lacking in reliable data to prove that they actually lead to a good return on investment—so it's no wonder that they can be difficult for parents or other mentors to navigate. The challenge is particularly acute for first-generation students or those from lower-income households, who are much less likely to know about high-quality postsecondary options than those whose parents went to college. A 2023 survey by JFF and American Student Assistance found that nearly one-third of high school graduates who weren't pursuing college said they lacked confidence in knowing the steps they needed to take to transition into a post-high school career or education. About two-thirds said they would have considered alternative pathway programs if they had more information about them. A single conversation can open a door. This spring's survey found that on average, teens whose parents have discussed a particular pathway with them are about twice as likely as their peers to say they're interested in that pathway. But parents can't have those conversations if they aren't aware of the full set of options themselves. Fortunately, there are ways to help. For students, it can be as simple as asking your parents, guardians, or other adults how they ended up in the job they're in. You may be surprised by their answers. And parents have a role to play by leading those career conversations—and starting them early. Weave conversations about careers into daily life and normal school days—not just captured in one-off career days. Visit colleges in-person and encourage your kids to try a summer internship. Help them understand how their interests and curiosities connect to both jobs and what they're learning. Take advantage of resources like How We See Us, which sheds light on the experiences of nearly 4,000 students about their post-high school pathways. And explore local workforce boards, community colleges, and employer-led training programs that increasingly offer free or low-cost pathways into in-demand fields. States and schools can also play a role by ensuring that career navigation support is widely available and relevant, and by making sure career navigation support isn't just aimed at students, but at families, too. And employers need to insert themselves into the conversation as well. That can include everything from internship programs in their communities, to apprenticeships, to engaging directly with schools, counselors, and students themselves. The more businesses do to help students understand what their company is, how it works, how to get there, and what success looks like, the better the outcomes for company and student alike. Gen Z is listening—and they're asking for direction. Parents can help ensure that every student has access to the information and guidance they need to make confident, informed choices about life after high school. But they can't do it alone.
Business Insider
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Employers have a huge opportunity to guide Gen Z toward good jobs. Here's what they can do.
As graduation season winds down, a new study shows that many Gen Z high school students feel unprepared to figure out what to do next. According to a new survey from Gallup, Jobs for the Future (JFF), and the Walton Family Foundation, most Gen Z high schoolers know relatively little about the vast array of education programs and career paths available after graduation. At this time of staggering student loan debt and many graduates questioning the value of a college degree, information about other postsecondary options is vitally important. The survey showed that about one in three students knows a "great deal" about earning a bachelor's degree (33%) or getting a paid job (32%). Far fewer — less than 20% — know a great deal about other pathways, including certificate and certification programs, experiential learning such as apprenticeships and internships, or joining the military. The April survey of over 1,300 Gen Zers ages 16-18 and their parents identified gaps that prevent students from pursuing — or even learning about — their ideal post-high school pathways. Gen Z's most trusted sources of education and career information — their parents, family members, and school staff — do not have early, frequent, or wide-ranging conversations with them about postsecondary options. Fewer than 30% of high school students reported feeling "very prepared" to pursue any of the postsecondary pathways they're considering. JFF President and CEO Maria Flynn says the results highlight a pressing problem for the US economy and society — the lack of effective career guidance for high school students and young adults. "Young people are eager to find good jobs but don't have the information they need to determine the paths to those jobs," Flynn said. "It's critically important to build a robust network of career navigation services so young people and their parents can make informed decisions that match their aspirations, lead to family-sustaining careers, and meet the needs of employers." The survey — part of the Voices of Gen Z series — showed that despite their heavy use of social media, Gen Zers look to their parents as their main source of post-high school information. However, parental guidance is often insufficient. It's limited by their experiences, the overwhelming growth in education and training options beyond college, and the realities of the highly dynamic labor market. Schools are also not providing enough information, according to the survey. Only 15% of students received "a lot" of information about career paths other than enrolling in a four-year college or immediately entering the job market. Flynn said building knowledge and "removing the social stigma and confusion" surrounding alternatives to the four-year college experience is imperative. "That will open up more opportunities for economic success for all," she said. By 2031, 85% of good jobs will go to workers with at least some postsecondary education, according to a 2024 study by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. About 66% will require a bachelor's degree or higher. But a substantial number — 16.4 million (19%) — will be available to people with some other type of postsecondary education or training, including associate's degrees, certificates, certifications, and apprenticeships. The Gen Z survey showed that the more young people know about various postsecondary options available, the more likely they are to pursue one of them. Students who said they know at least "some" about a pathway other than a bachelor's degree or paid work are, on average, nearly three times more likely to be "very" or "somewhat" interested in pursuing that path after high school. Employers can play a key role by partnering with school districts, community colleges, and four-year institutions to better align the curriculum to their hiring needs, help young people learn what jobs are available, and offer apprenticeships and paid internships. The survey showed that work experiences, including internships, were among the most valuable career preparation activities for Gen Z high schoolers — and among the least common. Nearly half of the students surveyed (47%) had never participated in a work experience. To help address these information and experience gaps, JFF and American Student Assistance (ASA) launched a Center for Career Navigation last year to empower young people ages 16 to 24 to have the information, skills, experiences, and supports they need to make education and career choices that lead to quality jobs while helping employers identify workers with skills that match their needs. ASA Executive Vice President Julie Lammers said providing incentives to employers would spur more to offer hands-on work experiences to students. "It's often a very complicated and cumbersome process for employers to take on the responsibility of having young people in their workplace; we need to lower the barriers to entry," she said. Later this year, the center will launch an online platform that helps young people learn about education and career options available in their area and equip them to take next steps. The tool will also provide information enabling parents to have these vital postsecondary conversations with their children — earlier and more often. A 2024 ASA survey underscores the need for young people to receive better guidance on nontraditional post-high school pathways. Teens considering vocational schools, apprenticeships, and technical boot camp programs more than tripled from 12% in 2018 to 38% in 2024.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
A Student's Guide To Postsecondary Education And Career Planning
For middle- and high-school students, life after high school may seem like a distant dream. But for many, graduation comes far too quickly and without a plan for the future. To enable students and recent high school graduates to plan an education-to-career pathway tailored to their interests, strengths, circumstances, and life goals, American Student Assistance (ASA) and Jobs for the Future (JFF) have created a Pathfinder Guide and Checklist. The guide and postsecondary training program checklist include questions, topics for consideration, and tips to help students navigate their career journey. It helps students: What are career interests? They can be specific jobs, like a nursing assistant, or broader industries, like health care. Many teens may still be exploring their career interests, and that's okay. They can start narrowing down their options by considering what classes, extracurricular activities, and hobbies they enjoy; volunteer, work, or community service experiences that give them a sense of accomplishment; and advice from their teachers, counselors, family members, or neighbors. Using free online tools like ASA's Futurescape and EvolveMe, students can then see which careers align with their likes, strengths, and goals, gain access to real-world experiences like virtual internships, and connect with career mentors. Note, some students may have multiple career interests that they want to explore further while others may feel drawn to one in particular. Either situation is fine at this stage in the process. Almost all careers today require additional education or training after high school. For each career interest, students should identify at least one postsecondary training program aligned to it. For example, if a young person is interested in becoming a nursing assistant, they will need to identify and enroll in a state-approved training program and pass an examination. To find this information, students can talk to trusted adults like guidance counselors, network to find professionals who work in their area of interest or do online research using free tools such as My Next Move or Career Village. To evaluate the pros and cons of each training program, this four-step checklist includes a useful rubric. After listing one or more postsecondary training programs aligned with each identified career interest (Step 1), students are asked to respond to a series of prompts about each training program (Step 2), covering areas including but not limited to entrance requirements, structure and logistics, cost, time to hire, and success indicators. Step 3 of the checklist then delves into career readiness/placement, prompting students to reflect on whether their career interest will help society, be something they enjoy doing, allow them to earn a living wage, provide them with employment stability, and give them opportunities for advancement. To answer these questions students may need to supplement their online research with informational interviews with professionals already working in these roles. Once students complete Steps 1-3, they should have the information they need to evaluate each postsecondary training program. Step 4 guides them through this process with reflection questions including how well the program meets the needs of leading employers in the student's area of interest and their placement track record, aligns with student requirements (costs involved, time to completion, scheduling flexibility, etc.), and prepares them for a career that is a good fit for the student's personality and goals. After this analysis, a student may find a specific training program is not a good fit. If that happens, there is no need to be concerned. It is just part of the process and gives students the opportunity to find better pathways that will get them closer to their ideal career. Graduation should be an exciting time for teens, a celebration of their past accomplishments as they look forward to the next chapter in their lives. Yet it can bring stress and anxiety to those who don't have a plan for the future. The Pathfinder Guide and Checklist can help young people explore their career interests and postsecondary training program options, so they can develop a plan for life after high school which puts them on a path towards a fulfilling, enjoyable, and successful career.
