About This Project
Summary
MindSpark led a multi-year professional development experience for teachers across Kentucky school districts to align education with local workforce needs. Kentucky faces a severe worker shortage and employment skills gaps, ranking 48th in the nation in workforce participation with only 74 workers for every 100 jobs. Students often graduate unprepared for evolving industries, and the state is projected to face a shortage of 140,000 workers by 2028.
Goals & Objectives
To equip educators to address Kentucky’s workforce and skills gap by embedding career-connected learning concepts across K–12 systems, fostering local partnerships, and scaling sustainable career pathways rooted in equity, innovation, and real-world relevance.
Results & Impact
38 educators across 6 school districts participated, resulting in a 25% increase in workforce readiness. With 35+ community partnerships forged and 1,000+ students connected to high-demand careers, this work strengthened local economies, closed skill gaps, and boosted student opportunities.
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