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Career Academies
Clearing the Way for Brilliant Futures
Through intentional, innovative education, low-income youth and youth of color in the greater Twin Cities will have clear pathways to wealth-building careers with zero college debt.
Transforming Inequity into Opportunity
Minnesota’s achievement gaps indicate we are not successfully preparing Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Other Youth of Color for future success. By bringing a proven career pathways approach to local school districts, we can reduce disparate educational outcomes, close the racial wage gap and fortify our region’s much-needed talent pool.
“The program really pushed me to want to be something. My dad is the proudest guy in the world, and he says my sister now has someone to look up to.”
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16%
Graduation rate disparity between white students and students of color. -
26%
Of high school graduates are unprepared for college. -
400,000
Jobs in Minnesota will be unfilled by 2024. -
$33,400
Annual wage gap between white people and people of color in the Twin Cities.
The Role of Career Academies
Partnering with school districts across Minnesota, Career Academies provides specialized funding, technical assistance and coaching, and a platform for peer-to-peer support focused on building sustainable career pathways alongside local businesses.
Together, we work to ensure students in grades 9 to 14 have equitable access to college credits, rigorous and relevant curriculums, and meaningful and supportive work experiences.
Our Impact to Date
10,000
students engaged
49%
served were students of color
9,891
college credits earned
$3MM
saved in college tuition
$2.80
increase in hourly wages
Download the Career Academies report for more information about the success of our program.
Career Academies Updates and Resources
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"We have a lot of division in our country right now, but we can all agree that the best solution for the challenges we have is good jobs. Centered on building pathways to zero college debt and $25-per-hour jobs, 10,000+ students – half Students of Color – have enrolled in Career Academies since 2015. In essence, it is the American dream. "
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"Career Academies gave me confidence. Now I can go up in front of my high school class and read my assignment. "
How We Innovate
Career Academies is just one part of the work Greater Twin Cities United Way does to develop innovative solutions in collaboration with partners throughout our community.
