The OC Pathways program, led by the Orange County Department of Education, has been recognized in California’s new Master Plan for Career Education as a model for preparing students for success through high-quality career education and work-based learning.
Released by the governor’s office earlier this month, the statewide plan highlights OC Pathways — among about 20 local educational agencies and organizations in the state — for its efforts to coordinate regional career education efforts by connecting state and federal funds.
Since launching in 2014, OC Pathways has helped elevate the career aspirations of Orange County students from kindergarten through postsecondary schooling by coordinating more than $63 million in grants and strengthening over 50 high-quality career pathways offered in 15 career sectors. As part of the 5-3-1 Strategic Plan led by Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean, the program has shifted its focus to broadening these CTE opportunities to ensure accessibility for all students.
This work aligns closely with the master plan’s broad goal to transform California’s education and workforce systems by increasing opportunities and preparing all learners, especially those who are underserved, for the workforce in a rapidly evolving economy.
“This recognition in the state’s career education master plan reflects OCDE’s commitment to creating opportunities for all students,” said Kathy Boyd, OCDE’s executive director of career education. “Under Dr. Bean’s leadership, we’ve built OC Pathways into a model that serves our most vulnerable youth through innovative funding approaches and youth apprenticeship programs.”
Through its youth apprenticeship initiative approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, OC Pathways connects students ages 16 to 24 with paid, on-the-job training opportunities with employers while earning a variety of industry certifications — making them stronger candidates in today’s workforce. The program uses a competency-based approach to pair classroom instruction with hands-on experience, helping students rapidly develop technical skills across 20 registered occupations.
In addition to supporting OCDE’s vision of preparing Orange County students to lead the nation in college and career readiness, these opportunities also contribute to the governor’s goal of establishing 500,000 apprenticeships in California by 2029.
Expanding hands-on learning opportunities
With support via the Regional K-16 Education Collaborative Grant, OCDE has opened up work-based learning across multiple career sectors with an emphasis on non-traditional apprenticeships in high-demand industries such as education, healthcare, engineering and information technology.
Students can also explore their desired career path through OC Pathways’ streamlined 4-6-10 year student plans. This visual timeline can help families, educators, employers and community partners track career-centered coursework from middle school through college along with related employment opportunities tailored to each pathway.
Boyd said that when students and families can clearly see each step of the pathway to college and career readiness, it “transforms how they engage with education.”
These efforts mirror the state’s development of a new “career passport,” designed to help students showcase relevant job skills through a portfolio of related experience that extends beyond traditional college degrees.
Moving forward, the OC Pathways team plans to continue expanding its impact through events that connect youth with industry leaders and celebrate student innovation. The program is also enhancing countywide initiatives to strengthen school-based guidance and ensure students receive personalized support on their path to future success.
“The true beneficiaries of this regional coordination are our students, who graduate with not just diplomas,” Boyd said, “but actionable plans for their futures.”
To learn more about OC Pathways and its regional career education resources, visit the OC Pathways website.