By Dominic Manecke, Building Kentucky
Jefferson Community & Technical College (Jefferson), KentuckianaWorks and Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced a new initiative to prepare young adults ages 16-24 across the Greater Louisville Region to enter high-demand, high-wage careers after graduation.
“At Jefferson, our number one priority is to open doors to a better life and brighter future,” said Dr. Ty Handy, Jefferson President. “However, we can’t do it alone. We rely on dedicated partners like KentuckianaWorks and numerous like-minded organizations to ensure that everyone, everywhere has the skills, tools and confidence to make it happen. With the generous support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, we will be able to expand and extend our work and impact, positioning countless high school students for early success in the classroom, workplace, and community.
Fueled by $990,000 in support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the two-year youth apprenticeship program will link young adults with major employers in the area, providing hands-on, paid work experience and school-based instruction that integrates career preparation and credentials within high school curriculums.
Since 2016, Bloomberg Philanthropies has invested $96 million in career and technical education programs for students. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ founder Michael R. Bloomberg believes that expanding career programs and pathways for students not heading directly to four-year college after high school is critical to gaining greater economic mobility and strong middle class career opportunities.
To do so, Bloomberg believes states, cities, local businesses and employers, training providers and schools must work in closer partnership to grow these training programs. Their current portfolio of career and technical education grantees includes both local and national models and to date more than 73,000 high school students have benefited from these programs.
Learn more about Bloomberg Philanthropies education initiatives at www.bloomberg.org/education/ and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
