Creating Equitable Pathways to Future Careers with Technology

The skilled trades are facing a crisis. Demand is increasing, but the supply keeps decreasing. At the same time, the proportion of high school students who earn three or more credits in occupational education, which can provide an introduction and pathway to a skilled trade, has dropped. That means thousands of students are missing opportunities to learn about and pursue high paying and rewarding careers. Fortunately, this can change. New technology can provide hands-on and cost-effective virtual learning opportunities within the trades to not only expose students to high-demand skill sets safely but also increase equity in schools by removing barriers to learning materials, increasing resources available to students and supplementing their education.