Partnership to offer hands-on experience, insight into growing
fields and opportunities, as well as connection to collegiate and
industry partners and business and IT-related competitive
events.
HOBOKEN, N.J., May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson (FTSE:
PSON.L) and its Connections Academy, the fully online public
school program serving K-12 students, announced today a strategic
partnership with the Future Business Leaders of America, Inc.
(FBLA), the largest business career and technical student
organization in the nation, to help students successfully navigate
the transition from academic environments. This partnership offers
Connections Academy middle and high school students real-world
experiences to explore diverse careers in business and information
technology (IT), providing school-to-work pathways and a head start
on their professional journeys.
FBLA chapters at Connections Academy schools will provide
students insight into growing fields and opportunities, as well as
connections to FBLA's 22 collegiate and 62 industry partners.
Students will also receive training and mentorship through
participation in the hundreds of FBLA local, state, and national
competitive events, 40 percent of which are focused on technology
fields.
Overall employment in business, financial and IT occupations is
projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations
through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
More than 911,000 openings in business and financial occupations
and 377,500 openings in IT are projected each year, on average, due
to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the
occupations permanently.
Recognizing employer demand for early talent development, FBLA
helps their 220,000 members gain the leadership, communication,
collaboration, and career-specific skills in business and IT that
are prioritized by employers, according to Pearson's Skills
Outlook.
"When planning for life after high school, students and their
parents struggle most with uncertainty, driven by lack of
direction, confidence, and connections," said Casey Welch, vice president for career in
Pearson's virtual learning division. "To bridge this learning to
work gap, Pearson is committed to leveraging our unique position in
the market by supporting the early career learner as they move from
K-12 and into post-high school opportunities, whether they are
headed to college, credentialing and trade programs, or right into
the workforce."
According to Pearson research, nearly eight out of 10 students
are aware that, to be employable, they need the right skills. And
while 72 percent want to know what they should do besides education
to position themselves for success, 42 percent admit that they
don't even know where to start and 26 percent are concerned about
making connections with those who can help them on their career
journey.
"FBLA's partnership with Pearson's Connections Academy will
allow us to bring our co-curricular leadership development and
education programs to even more middle and high school students as
they prepare for their future careers," said FBLA President and CEO
Alexander T. Graham. "Giving them
the opportunity to develop skills like critical thinking and
collaboration, as well as unmatched networking opportunities with
colleges and employers, will ensure they are ready for their
future."
The partnership with FBLA is part of Connections
Academy's expanded slate of college and career readiness
offerings for middle and high school students. Launched in
spring 2023, the initiatives offer an innovative new tri-credit
approach where courses can deliver high school credit,
industry-recognized micro-credentials, and eligibility for college
credit toward over 150 U.S. bachelor's degree programs.
Students from Indiana Connections Career Academy's FBLA chapter
already have an advantage in skill development and relationship
building. Earlier this year, they won 10 first-place awards in
events focused on such topics as business ethics, elevator pitches,
social media strategies, running effective meetings and digital
citizenship. Now, they qualify to attend the National Leadership
Conference this summer in Orlando
where they'll connect with other competitors and professionals in
the business and IT fields they want to enter. Indiana Connections
Career Academy has had an FBLA chapter since 2020. This fall, the
partnership will begin scaling the adoption of FBLA chapters to
Connections Academy schools that have career programming.
About Future Business Leaders of America
Future
Business Leaders of America, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3)
education association with more than 220,000 middle school, high
school, and college members worldwide. FBLA inspires and prepares
students to become community-minded business leaders in a global
society through relevant career preparation and leadership
experiences. The association is headquartered in Reston, Virginia,
just outside of Washington, D.C. For more information,
visit fbla.org.
About Pearson
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to
add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning
opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our
c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and
enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We
are the world's leading learning company, serving customers in
nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments,
qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do.
It's who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.
Media Contact
Joyce.davis@pearson.com
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