Fuel Education Launches Online Career Readiness Pathways

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 02/01/16

Fuel Education (FuelEd) has launched a new blended and online program, Career Readiness Pathways, for career and technical education (CTE).

"Online and blended learning models are ideal for high schools looking to transform or expand their CTE offerings quickly, affordably and thoroughly," according to a news release. "Schools can implement Career Readiness Pathways with their own teachers, or they can opt to fully or partially staff their CTE programs with FuelEd's highly qualified, certified instructors to expand students' access to different career pathways regardless of teacher shortages. The program offers both a comprehensive four-year program and an accelerated program so students can start a career pathway as late as 11th grade and still be prepared for certification by graduation."

The new program is organized into four "Career Clusters," which include b usiness management and administration, health science, information technology and manufacturing. Each cluster includes courses for four career pathways, allowing schools to offer up to a dozen different pathways. Pathways are designed to provide students skills and preparation to earn industry-recognized certifications such as:

• A*S*K and Microsoft Office certifications in business;
• Certified nursing assistant and certified pharmacy technician in health science;
• CompTIA and Adobe certifications in information technology; and
• NIMS Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator Certification and MSSC Certified Production Technician Certification in manufacturing.

The new program also offers support for students preparing for the ACT National Career Readiness Certification and the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute exams. Career Pathways also includes career exploration services and a referral for the school to SkillsUSA to start their own career and technical student organization chapters for networking.

"Giving students choices about their future empowers them to take charge of their education," said Gregg Levin, Fuel Education's general manager, in a prepared statement. "With Career Readiness Pathways, students who may have never had a clear vision for their future can graduate high school with a diploma and an industry certification — and have the choice to start a career directly out of school or pursue a college education. It's opening doors for students to have better lives after graduation."