Hayes High School has launched the Career Opportunities Lab to provide students with hands-on experience in various career fields. The lab features 15 stations, including welding, nursing, and computer science, allowing students to explore different career options and gain practical skills.

Health systems are increasingly partnering with high schools to address workforce shortages, with initiatives ranging from introductory courses to full health care tracks. Notable programs include OhioHealth's Grow Your Own Medical Staff, Cleveland Clinic's Howley ASPIRE Pathways and Memorial Hermann's Healthcare High School.

Stockton University's Tween Tech is an annual program designed to introduce middle-school girls to careers in science and technology. The event, organized by Claudine Keenan since 2017, aims to inspire girls aged 11 to 14 to pursue interests in STEM fields by providing a supportive environment where they can engage with peers who share similar interests.

The US Department of Labor gave Highlands College of Montana Tech a $5.75 million grant to create microcredential programs for broadband workers in Western Montana. The four-year program, starting in the fall, will train nearly 300 workers in areas such as commercial driving, heavy equipment and safety.

Nurse practitioner students face a lack of support from schools in arranging clinical rotations, unlike medical students who have structured programs and funding. Ryan Craig emphasizes the need for colleges to take responsibility for providing relevant work experience, suggesting that policymakers mandate in-field work for degree programs and fund work-integrated learning to better prepare students for careers.

The US economy added 256,000 jobs in December, significantly exceeding the forecast of 155,000. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate decreased to 4.1% from 4.2%, indicating a strengthening labor market.

The Federal Aviation Administration has introduced two grants to support the development of aviation professionals. The Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants will fund students training to become aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems pilots, while Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants will support aspiring aviation maintenance technicians. Eligible organizations can receive up to $1 million each fiscal year, with applications due Feb. 5.

Women remain underrepresented in tech, making up less than a third of the workforce globally, according to a World Bank report. Women also face gender bias and limited mentorship, but notable figures like Reshma Saujani and Dr. Fei-Fei Li have inspired others to pursue STEM careers and initiatives such as Girls Who Code and All Raise are vital in promoting STEM education.

Tailored for postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) professionals, the NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Leadership Program at ACTE, sponsored by the ECMC Foundation, is a nationally recognized program, providing career growth opportunities that are engaging, individualized and memorable. Registration fees for accepted applicants will be $3,000 (not including lodging or travel for in-person events). The deadline to apply for this premier program is Friday, Jan. 17. Learn more.

Join us for a yearlong professional development experience as a mentor or mentee in the ACTE Inclusion, Access, Equity, and Diversity (IAED) Mentorship Program. Participants will receive complimentary VISION registration and free access to IMAGO's intelligence learning platform con-tent. The deadline to apply for this premier program is Friday, Jan. 17. Learn more.