Google announces grant to support K12 workforce development initiative

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Wednesday, 21 December 2022 09:42

The Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce and leaders from Jackson County Schools and Scottsboro City Schools collaborated on a joint project to provide all 7th through 12th grade students access to YouScience Career Aptitude Software. YouScience is the only provider of a fully integrated Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that delivers highly accurate aptitude and interest-based assessments, personalized career guidance, and industry-recognized certifications empowering individuals in their educational and career pathways. Leveraging proven research and industry input, YouScience helps students identify their natural talents, validate their skills and knowledge, and get matched with real-world educational and career pathways in high-demand occupations.

At the Mountain Lakes Chamber Annual Membership Banquet, Google announced a $57,000 grant to fund this initiative for three years. “YouScience will help system Career Coaches work with students to identify appropriate career paths and craft individualized four-year career plans. Additionally, YouScience will enhance our current Jackson Launch program which provides students with a real-world career learning opportunity as well as a pipeline of potential employees for business and industry,” says Nancy Griggs, Chamber Talent Development Director.

The power of YouScience lies in the performance measures of aptitudes and the ability to connect natural talent with real-world careers. The program cuts through social noise and biases to create more access and equity because, while there might be a skills gap, there isn’t a talent gap. Students have the capability to excel in the careers our economy needs; it’s our job to help students uncover their talent and help educators more effectively guide them toward in-demand careers. YouScience is the preferred choice of individuals, parents, educators, and counselors to guide and support educational and career pathways, currently serving more than 7,000 educational institutions and nearly one million users.