SWAMPSCOTT — School’s officially done for the year and town educators are ready to hit the highway, connecting students with future careers.
Dubbed Innovation Pathways by the state, the education and workforce connection is designed, according to a summary provided by Superintendent Pamela Angelakis to the School Committee, to connect students “to a broadly-designed industry sector that is in demand in the regional and state economy.”
“Schools leverage strong partnerships with employers to provide students career awareness and work-based learning activities. Steering them onto the pathway can lead students to opportunities for meaningful careers in that industry sector upon completion of the needed post-secondary education and training,” Angelakis stated in a June 24 summary to the committee posted online under “The Superintendent’s Blog.”
Streamlining the connection between academics and workforce is a trend Swampscott schools are not alone in embracing. Programs and classes encompassing science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM) are career focused and Innovation Pathways builds on STEAM goals.
In her committee update posted on the School Department website, Angelakis stated that a successful local Pathways program should include equitable access to the program; guided academic pathways, student support and connections to careers.
“We have chosen to begin developing what we hope will eventually be a variety of career pathways at Swampscott High School by developing a career pathway for advanced manufacturing,” she stated.
A manufacturing pathway would build on research by the North Shore Workforce Investment Board identifying careers ranging from assemblers to carpenters, electricians, inspectors, testers and machinists.
The pathway focus includes letting students participate in a series of courses and experiences relevant to achieving industry-recognized credentials, stated Angelakis.
Even as local educators work to incorporate Innovation Pathways into Swampscott schools, they are also mapping out summer learning programs.
The department signaled its intent to apply for a state summer and vacation learning program grant. The competitive, federally-funded grant, according to a department online posting, is designed to help local school districts develop or expand programs oriented to learning during the summer, school vacations and even weekends.
They can be designed for remote learning similar to at-home education students undertook in March or in-school programs, as well as a combination of both programs.
“Hundreds of districts have shown an interest in this grant and the district and schools that submitted an intent to apply will be considered first,” stated Angelakis.
