I have visited high schools across New York City and have observed a common scene, the vocational classrooms once thriving with vitality and promise, now sit shuttered and frozen in time.

New York City students may have access to promising careers in healthcare, technology, business, law, and skilled trades in theory—but not necessarily in practice. Transportation barriers, limited career counseling, unpaid internships, language and accessibility gaps, and uneven access to high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs can determine who gets an opportunity and who gets left behind.

For decades, the College-for-All movement shifted attention away from hands-on learning and direct connections to industry. Now, as students increasingly explore technical training, apprenticeships, and alternative pathways to employment, the workforce and higher education are evolving.

Yet, across NYC, former journalism newsrooms, woodshops, and automotive garages sit empty—reminders of the career-connected learning opportunities we once offered and could revitalize. Over two thirds of NYC high schools do not have formal vocational programs leaving the city’s students traveling distances to access these beneficial opportunities.

The question is no longer whether career pathways matter. It’s whether every student can access them.

If we want to advance equity, strengthen our workforce, and fill critical industry talent pipelines, we must invest in accessible CTE programs, meaningful career exposure, employer partnerships, and the supports students need to participate.

Talent is everywhere. Opportunity should be, too.

What would it take to make career-connected learning accessible to every NYC student, regardless of their school or ZIP code?

#CareerConnectedLearning #CTE #EducationalEquity #WorkforceDevelopment #FutureOfWork #NYCeducation

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jassica-lee-0045a8143

Read more of my writing on Medium: https://medium.com/@jassicalee3

A Broader Definition of Readiness

The Portrait highlights competencies such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, digital literacy, cultural awareness, and social‑emotional well‑being. Employers consistently tell us these skills matter as much as technical knowledge, and often more.

Community partners echo the same message. Young people succeed when they can work with others, manage emotions, and communicate clearly. The Portrait reflects this reality and offers a clear direction for schools.

Where Workforce Trends Align

1. Skills‑based hiring is growing, and employers are focusing on what applicants can do, not just the degrees they hold.
2. Technology is reshaping entry‑level work, and digital literacy and critical thinking help students adapt as roles evolve.
3. Teamwork has become the norm in most workplaces, and cross‑functional collaboration is central to early‑career success.
4. Communication continues to open doors, and clear, confident communication remains one of the most valued skills.
5. Social‑emotional skills matter more than ever, and resilience, empathy, and self‑management support long‑term success.

What This Means for Schools

The Portrait is more than a framework; it is a reminder that schools must evolve alongside the world students are entering.

This includes integrating Portrait competencies into instruction, expanding project‑based learning, strengthening SEL, building partnerships with employers, increasing access to internships and CTE pathways, and helping students build portfolios that show what they can do.

When students graduate with these competencies, they are better prepared for whatever comes next, whether college, career, or a path they create themselves.

A Shared Responsibility

The Portrait challenges educators, families, and community partners to rethink readiness. It asks us to prepare students not just for today’s world, but for the one they will inherit.

Every student deserves to graduate with the skills, confidence, and adaptability needed to thrive in a changing workforce. That commitment is at the heart of the Portrait, and at the heart of our work.

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Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jassica-lee-0045a8143

Read more of my writing on Medium: https://medium.com/@jassicalee3