The New Hampshire Department of Education received a $100,000, six-month grant to increase economic opportunity for young people by strengthening career-focused education.
NH is among 24 states and the District of Columbia that received grants through phase one of the New Skills for Youth program, a $75 million, five-year initiative developed by JPMorgan Chase, in partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and Advance CTE.
"While some career preparation programs in our secondary schools are excellent, others are not as effective at preparing young people for the well-paying jobs available in today's economy," says Virginia M. Barry, NH commissioner of education. "Over the past several years New Hampshire has been working to find new and creative ways to align our state's workforce needs with our education system. This grant will help us continue that work to ensure our students are prepared for 21st century careers."
In addition to the grant, NH will receive expert technical assistance and peer support from other grantees, to perform a diagnostic assessment of their career preparation system and prepare for implementation of a new action plan.
"States across the country are adjusting their career readiness programs to ensure they adequately prepare students for their next step after graduation," said Chris Minnich, executive director of CCSSO. "States have seized this grant opportunity to pursue bold plans for pathways that will put kids on a course for success after high school and beyond."
NH will be eligible to apply for the phase two grant opportunity, which will require states to demonstrate the commitment and capacity to execute the action plans developed in phase one.
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