Pathways to Professions

The Pathways to Profession Program is a comprehensive workforce development initiative designed to connect parents, students, educators, and employers. The program aims to showcase career opportunities in manufacturing and other sectors, bridging the gap between education and industry to prepare the workforce of tomorrow.

Key Components of the Program:

1. Expose:

• Elementary School: Introduces young students to various careers through engaging activities such as posters highlighting different professions, classroom speakers sharing their experiences, and hands-on experiences facilitated by industry partners.

2. Explore:

• Middle School: Allows students to explore career opportunities in depth. This includes watching videos that provide an inside look at local businesses, listening to weekly classroom speakers aligned with highlighted businesses, and participating in up to four field trips per year to local companies.

3. Experience:

• High School: Provides students with practical experience in the workforce. High school students can participate in field trips, job shadowing programs, and hands-on paid internships. These internships, lasting up to 240 hours, are offered at no cost to the employer through a partnership with the Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board (COWIB). Additionally, classroom speakers continue to align with the weekly business focus.