The catch-22 of career-connected learning

The Catalyze Challenge, backed by $10 million in awards, reveals a scarcity of paid learning experiences for high school and early college students, especially in rural areas. Over 900 applications highlight widespread efforts to promote career-connected learning. Scaling remains a challenge due to the importance of personal relationships. Employer engagement and convincing learners and families of the value of such programs are key barriers to overcome, emphasizing the need for a multi-pronged approach combining funding, learning, and storytelling.

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