NACCE/SkillPointe Create School Counselor Advisory Council
In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reshaping career guidance in American schools, the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) has partnered with SkillPointe to launch the SkillPointe School Counselor Advisory Council. This council represents a significant step towards illuminating the often-overlooked path of skilled trades as viable career options for students of all ages.
SkillPointe, known for its comprehensive tech platform, focuses on showcasing 80 skilled trade careers that promise substantial earnings and stability without the need for a traditional four-year degree. The initiative aims to counteract the prevailing bias towards college education by introducing students to these lucrative opportunities early on.
Led by Rebecca Johnson, Alabama’s 2023 School Counselor of the Year, the Council comprises educators from elementary to high school levels nationwide. Their mission is clear: to develop engaging curricula that integrate awareness of skilled trades into educational pathways from primary school through to adult learners.
Rebecca Corbin, President & CEO of NACCE, emphasizes the strategic role of counselors in bridging the skills gap and expanding students’ career horizons. This partnership comes at a crucial time when the United States faces an annual shortage of over 3.3 million skilled trade jobs, as projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
SkillPointe’s intuitive platform equips counselors with tools like a quick career quiz to introduce students to various skilled trades, offering insights into job requirements, training options, financial aid opportunities, and earning potentials. This approach not only empowers students with diverse career paths but also supports efforts to reduce student debt and promote entrepreneurship in these fields.
As the Council continues to grow, it promises to reshape educational paradigms by promoting skill-based careers as viable alternatives to traditional academic routes. For counselors like Victoria Castro-Corral, this initiative signifies a pivotal moment in educational equity, providing young people with the tools to forge prosperous futures through hands-on, rewarding professions.
For more information or to be considered for inclusion in the Counselor Advisory Group: Melissa Mullinix, MMullinix@SkillPointeFoundation.org.