Education technology is rapidly changing the way students learn, and now Pearson and its Connections Academy are taking part in the revolution. The fully online public school programme, which has been serving K-12 students for more than 20 years, recently announced its partnership with The Home Depot’s Path to Pro program. This initiative is introducing high school students to careers in the trade industry, giving them the skills and knowledge they need to excel.
The Path to Pro Skills Program offers on-demand courses designed to prepare participants for six trade-based careers, such as electrical, drywall, paint, plumbing, HVAC, and general construction. Connections Academy will connect high school students, their families and recent graduates to the program, and they can explore free courses developed by construction specialists. Qualified participants can also build a free Path to Pro Network profile to showcase their talents, post a resume, and apply for over 2,500 positions.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the construction industry in the United States must fill almost three-quarters of a million jobs each year owing to retirements, job changes, and other kinds of turnover. This sector is expected to add another 250,000 employees that usually offer family-sustaining wages in less than a decade. To help build the next generation of trade professionals to fill this gap with qualified talent, Connections Academy and The Home Depot’s Path to Pro program will give students the chance to explore a career in the trades.
Speaking about the initiative, Pearson Virtual Schools VP for Careers, Casey Welch, said: “At Pearson’s Connections Academy, we want to meet our students where they are, whether they wish to attend college or go immediately into the labour market. The Home Depot’s Path to Pro program is an excellent fit because it provides high school students early pathways to training and education in rewarding fields. The connections and relationship building in the industry will be a win for those looking to enter the labour market – not to mention for the many professional contractors that need to find a new generation of talent.”
The partnership is the first of its kind with a learning company for The Home Depot, and it is the first corporate employer partnership in Connections Academy’s recently announced expanded college and career readiness offerings for middle and high school students. These initiatives offer an innovative new tri-credit approach where courses can deliver high school credit, industry-recognized micro-credentials, and eligibility for college credit toward over 150 US bachelor’s degree programs.
Supported by Pearson, Connections Academy is a tuition-free virtual public school that provides students in grades K-12 with the skills and confidence they need to adapt and thrive in today’s changing world. The platform offers students a one-of-a-kind, well-rounded education experience that allows each child to learn how they learn best, thanks to a curriculum designed by experts and delivered by teachers who are specially trained to teach online.
Pearson is the world’s leading learning organization, and its partnership with The Home Depot’s Path to Pro program is an excellent example of how education technology is being used to bridge the gap between high school learning and the real-world job market. This initiative will give students the chance to explore rewarding career paths and gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in the labour market.
