Going Beyond Academic Skills to Prepare Students For The Workforce

Preparing high school students to be successful after graduation means broadening their focus beyond just their academic performance. It requires equipping them with essential life skills, or durable skills, as well – everything from practical skills such as financial literacy, time management and resume writing, to broader skills like communication, leadership and critical thinking.

Teaching Practical Skills

When it comes to practical skills, financial literacy is repeatedly highlighted as one of the most important skills for high school students to learn before graduating. This can help students with everything from being able to manage a budget to filling out a tax return and can help them avoid common financial mistakes that may cause them to go into debt. Financial literacy is so important that 26 states now require students take a personal finance course in order to graduate – up from just eight states in 2020 according to K-12 Dive. The outlet noted that one study found when financial education was a requirement it resulted in students having higher credit scores and lower delinquency rates, and another study found 85% of high school students said they were interested in learning about financial issues in school, and 95% of those who learned about finance reported finding the curriculum helpful.

Other practical skills that help students succeed after graduation include skills that better equip them to find jobs, like resume writing and interview skills – as well as skills to support daily tasks such as time management. Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) interviewed colleges and employers about what skills they think students should learn by the time they graduate from high school. Interviewee Paul Diaz, a business representative and organizer with a local ironworkers’ union told the outlet he doesn’t expect potential ironworkers to know the ins and outs of the job when they apply for apprenticeships the union offers. But he does look for things like having a good attitude and showing up on time. Other top skills that interviewees noted in the OPB piece (in addition to financial literacy, which is mandatory in Oregon), included what are often called 21st Century Learning Skills such as effective communications, how to work well with others, being able to self-advocate, and being able to problem-solve.

Defining The Successful Graduate

There is a national movement afoot that strives to define what a successful graduate looks like in terms of what skills they should have in order to be successful. At least 20 states have created what is called a “Portrait of a Graduate” – a profile that includes more than just meeting academic thresholds. The profiles require students to have many of those 21st Century Learning Skills such as communication, teamwork, and civic engagement. Examples noted in an Education Week article include:

• In Kentucky, a successful student is an engaged citizen, critical thinker, effective communicator, empowered learner, creative contributor, and productive collaborator, according to the state’s portrait of a learner.
• In South Carolina, successful students should be able to read critically, express ideas, investigate through inquiry, reason quantitatively, use sources, design solutions, learn independently, navigate conflict, lead teams, build networks, sustain wellness, and engage as a citizen, according to the state’s portrait of a graduate competencies.
• And in New York, the proposed portrait, describes a successful graduate as someone who is a critical thinker, innovative problem solver, literate across content areas, culturally competent, social-emotionally competent, an effective communicator, and a global citizen.

Strengthening Career and Technical Education Programs

There is also increasing emphasis and funding across states for career and technical education (CTE) programs to help prepare students for the specific careers they are interested in. According to a report by the non-profit Advance CTE, 27 states have increased their funding of secondary CTE ranging from $76,300 to $2.9 billion in the past decade, for a state average of $182 million. It also reports more than 8 million secondary learners, or almost 17 percent of all public school learners, participated in a CTE program during the 2020-2021 academic year.

“CTE provides learners of all ages with the knowledge and skills they need to be prepared for college and careers,” the organization states. “CTE gives purpose to learning by allowing learners to gain real-world skills through career exploration and taking specialized courses within a selected career focus. Learners in CTE often practice what they are learning through work-based, hands-on experience including internships, apprenticeships and mentorship.”

How Vector Solutions Can Help

As the national discussion continues about how best to meet students’ needs and equip them for success after high school, Vector Solutions is supporting schools, districts, and CTE programs by expanding its Career Readiness & Life Skills library of courses for students in grades 9-12. The engaging online courses, authored by subject-matter experts, focus on teaching the competencies and personal and professional skills that will support students’ successful transition to college or the workforce. The expanded library of courses will include:

• Career Exploration
• Goal Setting for Success
• Leadership & Career Readiness
• Time Management
• Communication Styles & Skills
• Stress Management
• Multiple Intelligences
• Financial Literacy
• Interview Skills
• Resume Writing
• Study Skills

Vector’s courses come with pre- and post-course surveys, educator resources, and are available in multiple languages. They are designed to align with the National Health Education Standards and the CASEL Framework for Social and Emotional Learning.

Career & Technical Education Training for Students

Vector’s CTE Training provides students with essential skills for safe and effective learning in the classroom and workplace, enhancing employability with critical workplace skills and industry-recognized credentials.

• Integrate Comprehensive Offerings into Your Existing Curriculum
• Provide a Safe & Health CTE Learning Environment
• Enhance Workplace Readiness
• Help Students Earn Industry-Recognized Credentials

All Vector CTE courses are authored by subject-matter experts, are customizable, and are delivered through Vector’s award-winning training management system which helps administrators track training requirements and progress. They easily integrate with a school or district’s existing CTE programs, and are available in 20 languages. Courses include pre-and post-course assessments and reporting to help administrators monitor and measure learning.