As reported previously, the KRA Knowledge2Career Academy (K2C) is a comprehensive workforce development program for Out-of-School Youth (OSY), 17-24, operated for the Pacific Gateway Workforce Development Board (PGWDB), in collaboration with the City of Long Beach and other key public- and private-sector partners.
Shawna Wright, KRA Program Manager and K2C Project Director, reports, “To combat a local youth-unemployment rate twice the national average, Mr. JP Elma, WIA/WIOA Program Coordinator, PGWDB; Racquel Welch-Kitchen, College/Career Coordinator, Educational Partnership High School (EPHS); and I have been strategically planning K2C expansion and promotion.”
Subsequently, K2C has evolved into a results-oriented pathway to successful employment, re-connecting OSY with academics, as enrolled youth receive EPHS credit toward graduation; providing career-planning and workforce-preparation skills; and offering intensive job-skills training and certification, ensuring a competitive edge in the labor market.
Recently, K2C convened a Partnership Information Kick-off Meeting to recruit eligible OSY, and to inform them of the incredible range of available resources and services. To date, 11 youth have completed enrollment, with another eight being processed.
Shawna concluded, “Many thanks to Joel Lovelace, EPHS Counselor/Teacher, and KRA/K2C team members Maria Andrade-Hernandez, Veda Jackson, and Dedra Berry for their contributions to a great kick-off event, launching a program dedicated to providing our Long Beach youth with career opportunities for productive and successful futures.”