This school year, thanks to The BlackRock Foundation, our Pathways for Accelerated College and Career Experience pilot program was expanded to 8 school districts, including Columbus City Schools.
Originally piloted at Kettering City Schools, PACCE helps address the state’s workforce needs by preparing more students to earn degrees and certifications for in-demand, high-wage, and high-growth careers.
Earlier in March, ABC 6, joined us at Ft. Hayes Metropolitan Education Center in Columbus to share the story of PACCE. Our partners at I Know I Can have adopted the Learn to Earn Dayton PACCE framework to benefit Columbus City Schools district.
At a time when Ohio’s economy is growing – with industries such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and computer science offering high-paying jobs – postsecondary enrollment and graduation rates have decreased, creating a demand for credentialed workers. According to the Ohio Bureau of Labor Market Information, 75% of job growth in Ohio will be in occupations requiring at least a postsecondary non-degree credential, and 58% of growth will be in occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
To address this growing gap, Learn to Earn Dayton’s PACCE program reaches students who haven’t opted for traditional trade school or clear postsecondary paths. With original grant funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and The BlackRock Foundation’s grant, an expanded team of career navigators are helping guide more students to participate in Ohio’s statewide dual enrollment program, College Credit Plus, and assist with the transition from high school to postsecondary training or education, with a particular focus on the high-growth industries in the state.
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