Since the Consortium began focusing on future readiness nine years ago, we have taken a systems approach. There are many factors that foster a student’s future success, and while we cannot address all of them, we can work to create opportunities for those factors to be considered when making decisions.
Out of those intentions – to work across the ecosystem that supports the future readiness of students – we have come to think of ourselves as an intermediary. An awkward term at best, but so far the one that comes to mind as we sit between education and workforce, looking to bring people together so that these huge systems might effectively work together for the betterment of students and ultimately our region.
Over the past year, the Consortium has worked to more intentionally serve in the role of bringing together partners in education, industry, postsecondary, and the community, as well as from intermediate units and workforce investment boards. These convenings have been focused on understanding the roles we each play and how we can work better together.
It’s conversations with these partners that have led to small and large projects that impact the many stakeholders in the ecosystem of education and workforce. The excitement we have in seeing these pieces come together is in the momentum of making change that benefits the people we serve.
To get a sense of how the parts fit together, consider some of these completed or ongoing projects.
- Industry-specific breakfasts focused on various industries were offered to educators to learn more about career pathways for students.
- Career Connections Network, in collaboration with Partner4Work, connected over 50 career counselors from 23 area school districts with industry partners to deepen their relationships and create future opportunities for students.
- Reimagining 12th Grade project, led by Dr. Tom Ralston at the University of Pittsburgh and the Forum for Western Pennsylvania Superintendents, as a facilitation partner, connecting participating educators with employers.
- HSU (High School University) Careers Unlocked, in collaboration with Neighborhood Learning Alliance, Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), and Woodland Hills School District, designed a pilot program for a comprehensive career pathway-focused dual enrollment program.
Others stem from work we’ve already dedicated ourselves to doing, such as the Future Ready Partnerships Conference, Future Ready Leaders, Educator in the Workforce, and the Student Sustainability Design Challenge.
These opportunities continue to grow, bringing opportunities at the state and national levels to the benefit of the region. For example:
- Facilitation of the Advisory Committee on Public Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Metrics on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of Career and Technical Education.
- Design a process for the Education Resource Center at Penn State Greater Allegheny to create processes that will help stakeholders in education and workforce across the state develop more effective pathways for students in high-demand occupations.
- Participation in Jobs for the Future’s 2026 Legislative Summit. The summit is focused on having conversations around “breaking down barriers to quality jobs and driving economic success for people, businesses, and communities.”
- Invitation to the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) and Britebound’s “Convening on Youth Workforce Readiness” in PA.
With an eye toward continuing to improve systems that benefit students and the workforce long term, we expect further investments in serving as an intermediary between education and the workforce. We hope you will join us in seeing the big picture, as well as finding ways to integrate your work into the whole. It won’t work without all of us, and we’re grateful for all of you as partners in the journey.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or ideas to spark new opportunities!
