Career Pathways

3 articles

High school students participating in specialized vocational training programs, demonstrating a proactive approach to closing the workforce skills gap.

Services

Specialized Pathways Boost Workforce Development Despite Looming Skills Gap

Postsecondary credentials earned by high school students have surged by 532% since 2018.

Victor Huang·July 19, 2026

Diverse Californians entering a modern state capitol building, symbolizing new opportunities in state jobs that prioritize skills over degrees.

Insights

California's Skills-First Hiring: Thousands of State Jobs Drop Degree Requirements

California has quietly eliminated college degree requirements for nearly 30,000 state jobs, signaling a profound shift in how one of the nation's largest economies values skills over diplomas.

Marcus Ellery·June 17, 2026

High school students learning welding techniques and earning college credit in a vocational training program.

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High schools now offer welding training for college credit

A $4 million award from Bloomberg Philanthropies is fueling a new wave of high school vocational programs.

Victor Huang·June 16, 2026