The Career Pathways approach offers an effective and appropriate vehicle for employers to help build and retain their future workforce. The model is a direct response to the need to better prepare the workforce of the 21st century. Employers report increasing mismatch between the skills required for entry into their industry and those of the emerging workforce. Participation in Career Pathways helps build awareness of the employer’s role in the community and offers a public relations benefit to industry partners.

A Career Pathways approach promotes better outcomes for youth workforce development programs. It helps organizations deliver 21st century training and educational opportunities and provides career exploration experiences while preparing youth and young adults for real career options and to become contributing members of their community. It expands youth organization awareness of the economy and increases knowledge of area employers and organizations, emerging careers and workforce needs as well as promoting an understanding of the challenges industry faces.

There are many ways in which employers can partner with Career Pathway efforts in New York City. While employer involvement in each of the following activities is critical to the success of our youth workforce development initiatives, employer partners are not expected to participate in all activities. Representatives of the New York City youth workforce development programs will work with you to help identify and select the activities that make the most sense for your business and employees.

New York’s youth workforce development organizations are implementing a Career Pathway approach to do their part to prepare the next generation of our city’s workforce. Programs and initiatives are designed to directly connect and prepare youth and young adults to be successful in the workplace today, and to be ready for the careers of tomorrow. There are many ways for your company to be involved.

• Serve on an Industry Advisory Board or Steering Committee.
• Help us map the skills needed for success in high-demand occupations in your industry.
• Support Career Pathways instruction by being a Guest Speaker in a classroom or providing opportunities for instructors to experience your workplace through an externship.
• Provide Work-Based Learning experiences for Career Pathways youth and young adults.

New York’s youth workforce development initiatives deliver authentic workplace experiences for youth and young adults in partnership with employers, and offer strategies and support to limit the burden on employers and increase the educational value of these experiences for youth and young adults. All workplace experiences are highly structured and supported by the partner youth organization. While the full range of experiences are provided to youth and young adults, each employer partner provides those opportunities that are a good fit with their business.

There are many ways in which Work-Based Learning can be implemented within your company.

Workplace Tour
A Career Awareness activity in which small groups of youth and young adults visit a workplace, learn about the business, meet employees, ask questions and observe work in progress.

Guest Speaker
A Career Awareness activity where an employer partner visits a classroom and provides a presentation on their company, industry and occupation. Guest Speakers also address the application of academics in a real-world context.

Informational Interview
A Career Exploration activity where a youth or young adult interviews an employee of a partner business about his/her career and industry.

Job Shadowing
A Career Exploration activity in which a youth or young adult is paired with an employee of a New York City youth workforce development program partner business and follows that employee during much of a regular work day. A Job Shadow provides youth and young adults the opportunity to experience the workplace, understand the various roles and duties of a particular occupation, learn about the business, connect with a working adult and observe work in progress.

Work Experience
A career preparation activity in which a youth or young adult has the opportunity to develop and demonstrate professional and occupational skills by addressing a core business function and doing productive work with a New York City youth workforce development programs employer.

Internship
A Career Preparation activity in which a youth or young adult has the opportunity to learn by doing real work and being productively engaged in the workplace. They may work in teams, rotate through a number of departments and job functions, or work on a project of interest to the youth or young adult and of value to the employer partner.

Workplace Challenge
A Career Preparation activity where small groups of youth and young adults (4-6 per team) are engaged in solving a problem or a challenge issued by an employer in consultation with an instructor.

Career Mentoring
A Career Exploration activity in which a youth or young adult is matched one-on-one or in small groups with an adult professional to explore potential careers and related educational issues.