101 PEOPLE, IDEAS AND THINGS CHANGING OUR WORLD - 2019 BBC
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190718-the-101-people-ideas-and-things-changing-how-we-work-today?
This  WorkLife101 site includes many interesting articles. This one is a list of 101 "indispensable things that you need to know about our work-life future."

4 BLACK YOUTH.COM
http://www.4blackyouth.com/
The web site says "We are a group of African-American professionals and students who are on a mission to leverage new technologies to educate and provide opportunities to those who need it most. Since there are so many things against black youth, we are For Black Youth because we feel that the African-American community needs targeted solutions to combat our unacceptably low educational, income and employment statistics. However, this site wholeheartedly welcomes individuals of all ethnicities who would like to contribute to or who can benefit from our offerings. Come join us. We will make a change."

A BUSINESS, EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR OUR ECONOMY AND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. (VIDEO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TnxKfL95qw&t=7s
This is a Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis video. Ideas apply in many big cities. The Bridging the Gap web site is: https://www.achievempls.org/BridgetheGapBkfst

ADVANCE CTE - CAREER CLUSTERS FRAMEWORK PREPARING FUTURE WORKFORCE
https://careertech.org/career-clusters
From the web site: "The National Career Clusters® Framework provides a vital structure for organizing and delivering quality CTE programs through learning and comprehensive programs of study. In total, there are 16 Career Clusters in the National Career Clusters Framework, representing more than 79 Career Pathways to help students navigate their way to greater success in college and career."

BLACK FIRE BRIGADE CHICAGO
https://blackfirebrigade.com/
From the website: "Black Fire Brigade is a not for profit organization that recruits, trains and provides employment opportunities to African-American youngsters to become medical technicians and firefighters in Chicago."

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO INNOVATION FOR UNDERREPRESENTED KIDS - ARTICLE
https://www.vox.com/2017/12/4/16706352/innovation-inequality-race-gender
This article on Vox is titled Groundbreaking empirical research shows where innovation really comes from Breaking down barriers for underrepresented kids could quadruple America’s pool of inventors.  It show the influence of where you live and who your parents are, on what careers you pursue. In this case the focus is on innovation.

CAN JOBS SAVE CHICAGO? CRAIN'S SPECIAL REPORT
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170812/ISSUE01/170819980/can-jobs-stop-chicago-violence-five-companies-think-so
UIC’s Great Cities Institute assisted with Crain’s Chicago Business for a special report that examines the connection between joblessness and violence in Chicago neighborhoods.  This link points to an article about how businesses can create jobs to employ people in low-income areas.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CHICAGO REGION - WORKFORCE BOARDS OF METRO CHICAGO
https://www.workforcepartnersmetrochicago.org/
The Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago's website supports workforce development and economic development in the Chicago region. 

CAREER OPPORTUNITY - RECYCLING LUMBER - LEARN FROM NYCITYSLAB
http://nycityslab.com/
View the videos on this site and see how Robert Rising, known as "the Black lumberjack" is dedicated to saving fallen trees and creating furniture out of rescued wood. Rising describes a career path for Black youth that very few are aware of.  Share this video with youth in your school and/or youth program and you may inspire a few young people to reach out to Mr. Rising and learn how they can get involved.

CASE FOR YOUTH APPRENTICE PROGRAMS
https://tcf.org/content/commentary/the-case-for-expanding-youth-apprenticeships/
This "The Case for Expanding Youth Apprenticeships" is an article on The Century Foundation blog. 

CHICAGO APPRENTICESHIP NETWORK
https://www.chicagoapprenticenetwork.org/#/
From the website: "The Chicago Apprentice Network is working to bridge the gap by raising awareness of apprenticeship and helping more businesses establish successful apprentice programs to offer more opportunities to more people in Chicagoland."

CHICAGO CRED - (CREATING REAL ECONOMIC DESTINY)
https://www.chicagocred.org/
From the web site: "Chicago CRED (Creating Real Economic Destiny) was created in 2016 by Emerson Collective, a social impact organization founded and run by Laurene Powell Jobs, along with former U.S. Education Secretary and Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan.  We believe the best solution for ending gun violence is recruiting men most likely to be perpetrators or victims of shootings and transition them to jobs in the legal economy that pay as much or more than what they earn in the violence-plagued illegal economy."

CHICAGO JOBS COUNCIL - WORKFORCE INFORMATION & RESOURCE EXCHANGE
https://cjc.net/workforce-development-funding/workforce-innovation-and-opportunity-act-wioa/
From the web site:  "Chicago Jobs Council moves people out of poverty through employment using on-the-ground expertise, advocacy, and capacity. The WIRE is designed to support frontline providers, advocates, policy makers, and other workforce development stakeholders in Chicago and Illinois." 

CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/
From the web site: "The primary role of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is to make Chicagoland the most business-friendly region in America by enhancing our members' success through aggressive programs in advocacy, member benefits and services, and actionable information." 

CHICAGOLAND WORKFORCE FUNDER ALLIANCE
https://chicagoworkforcefunders.org/what-we-do/
From the web site: "The Funder Alliance’s strategic plan sets top-level goals that break down its mission into more specific issues where the Funder Alliance can set clear objectives:
* Increase Employer Investment in the Development of their Current and Future Workforce
* Increase the Effectiveness of the Workforce Development System
* Increase Access to Quality Jobs. 

CLOSING THE SKILLS GAP - JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. INITIATIVE
https://www.jpmorganchase.com/impact/our-approach/jobs-and-skills
Browse this web site, download the publications, add your own business to strategies that reach youth in high poverty areas with mentors, learning opportunities, part time and summer jobs and internships that bring more youth from poverty and near poverty into the workforce.

COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
https://www.ced.org/about
From the web site: "The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, business-led public policy organization that delivers well-researched analysis and reasoned solutions to our nation’s most critical issues." 

CREATIVITY, SOCIAL BENEFIT AND JOB CREATION IN ONTARIO - PDF
http://www-2.rotman.utoronto.ca/mpi/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Creativity_Social_Benefit_and_Job_Creation-A_Baldwin.pdf
This is a 2009 working paper by Andrea Baldwin, from the Canadian Business for Social Responsibility on why it is essential that the Ontario government needs to invest in social  entrepreneurship and social enterprise.

DUSSELDORP SKILLS FORUM - AUSTRALIA
https://www.dusseldorp.org.au/
From the web site: "Dusseldorp Forum is an independent foundation focused on improving education, health and social outcomes for children, their families and communities across Australia. We provide funding and support to initiatives demonstrating positive, long-term change for young people. We bring people together to foster collaboration and share solutions to better meet the needs of this and future generations." 

EARLY STEM EDUCATION KEY TO GROWING FUTURE CHIP WORKFORCE - 2024 ARTICLE
https://semiengineering.com/early-stem-education-key-to-growing-future-chip-workforce/
This article focuses on "building a domestic workforce for the chip industry by attracting kids to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects at a  younger age."  The article points to some examples of ways TEM programs can "introduce the benefits of advanced manufacturing jobs to kids who are unlikely to attend four-year college and get an engineering degree."  

EMPLOYMENT & EMPLOYER SERVICES, INC (E&ES)
https://www.eesforjobs.com/
From the web site: "E&ES believes that quality employment is the foundation of human dignity, economic stability, and community self-sufficiency.  With strong support from our government partners, we implement our mission to match work-ready job seekers with quality employers, so Chicagoland remains a great place to live and work."

EMSI - COMPREHENSIVE LABOR MARKET DATA
https://www.economicmodeling.com/company/
From the web site: "Our mission is to use data to drive economic prosperity. To do this, we inform and connect three critical audiences: people (who are looking for good work), employers (who are looking for good people), and educators (who are looking to build good programs and engage students).   We provide the best labor market data available to professionals in higher education, economic development, workforce development, talent acquisition, and site selection. Our data, which covers more than 99% of the workforce, is compiled from a wide variety of government sources, job postings, and online profiles and résumés."

ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION RESOURCE SITE
https://www.entre-ed.org/
This web page is for teachers, instructors, youth leaders, program developers and others who help students of all ages find their own entrepreneurial opportunities.

ENSURING THE WORKFORCE SKILLS OF THE FUTURE: THE BIRTH TO WORK PIPELINE (2003)
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229005057_ENSURING_WORKFORCE_SKILLS_OF_THE_FUTURE_THE_BIRTH_TO_WORK_PIPELINE
This Birth2Work white paper by Rick Stephens and Elane V. Scott "is about new insights, knowledge, and actions needed to develop capable, whole people today for tomorrow's economy."


EQUITICITY - BIKEFORCE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; GO HUB COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER, MORE
https://www.equiticity.org/about
Bikeforce is just one of many programs being developed by Equiticity, based in Chicago's North Lawndale area.  It's an apprentice program for high school students and young adults.  The Go Hub is "a physical and digital space in the North Lawndale neighborhood where residents create community around mobility justice and environmental justice." Browse the website to learn more.

FREE ENTERPRISE.COM ARTICLES ON EDUCATION & WORKFORCE
https://www.freeenterprise.com/
This web site is hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  The site collects and shared Free Enterprise stories, giving readers an inside look at the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the American business community.

GENESYS WORKS CREATES CAREER PATHWAYS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
https://genesysworks.org/
From the website: "Genesys Works creates career pathways and opportunities for youth from underserved communities while simultaneously helping employers fill critical talent gaps within their companies. We do this by providing skills training, counseling and coaching, and paid internships for high school seniors who currently reside in underserved communities and lack access to the resources needed to achieve sustained economic mobility."

GLOBAL HUMAN CAPITAL TRENDS 2014: ENGAGING THE 21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/focus/human-capital-trends/2014.html
From the web site: "CEOs and HR leaders see talent as a major challenge to growth. Where should you focus? This Deloitte survey of 2,500+ organizations in 90+ countries reveals 12 critical trends shaping the human capital agenda."  NPO leaders seeking corporate involvement need to understand information like this so they align their involvement of volunteers with corporate talent development and retention goals.

GOLD STANDARD PLAYBOOK FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - FROM ACCELERATOR FOR AMERICA
https://www.acceleratorforamerica.org/workforce-development-1
From the website: "As $1.2 trillion of federal infrastructure dollars begin to flow (2022) the nation faces a lack of trained workers, impacting the ability to start and complete projects on time. The "Gold Standard" Playbook presents solutions to these challenges, and helps localities meet new requirements to qualify for federal infrastructure funds."

GRADS OF LIFE - TOOLS TO HELP START AND OPERATE MENTORING, INTERNSHIP, ETC.
https://gradsoflife.org/about/
From the web site: "The Grads of Life campaign seeks to change perceptions employers have of young people with atypical resumes. The GradsofLife.org website offers the tools to connect leading employers to employment pathways, including mentoring, school-to-work, internships, and hiring." 

HELPING HIGH SCHOOLS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR WORK - ACHIEVE.ORG
https://www.achieve.org/
From the web site: "Achieve is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit education reform organization dedicated to working with states to raise academic standards and graduation requirements, improve assessments, and strengthen accountability."

HIGH SCHOOL INC. - ORANGE COUNTY, CA
https://highschoolinc.org/
From the website: "High School Inc. positively links social equity and economic values in school and at work by supporting the signature C-H-A-N-G-E Academies at Santa Ana Valley High School. These six core college and career readiness academies enrich a student’s learning experience by equipping students with the skills, opportunities, and relationships they need to succeed."

HOW TO ENGINEER SERENDIPITY - WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE
https://time.com/3951029/engineer-serendipity/
Business spends billions of dollars to support innovation. This TIME magazine article shows how helping employees connect informally with others stimulates idea exchanges and innovation. Companies who encourage employee involvement in volunteer-based organizations can stimulate a similar range of informal networking opportunities, at a much lower cost.

ICATT YOUTH APPRENTICE PROGRAM - CHICAGO
https://www.icattapprenticeships.com/il-greater-chicago/
From the web site: "ICATT is an innovative and industry-led approach to education. Benchmarked on the German Dual Education System, this program is an educational model developed in conjunction with technology leaders. ICATT combines practice, theory and work to train a globally competitive workforce. Companies get a tailored training program, greater employee loyalty and access to a high quality candidate pool. Apprentices profit from earning an Associate’s Degree with no debt to pay off afterwards, a German DIHK certification as well as guaranteed employment for the time of their training plus at least two years after."

IDES "ONE SOURCE" CAREER EDUCATION CENTER
https://ides.illinois.gov/
From the web site: "IDES (The Illinois Department of Employment Security ) encourages economic growth and stability in Illinois by providing Employment Services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing and disseminating essential Labor Market Information, and administering Unemployment Insurance programs."

IMPERIAL CONSULTING FOCUSES ON WORKFORCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
https://www.imperialcorp.com/
From the web site: "Since 1968 Imperial has provided advanced education and talent improvement programs for tens of thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations. Our current focus centers on solving the skills-jobs disconnect by helping clients plan and implement workforce restructuring and development by forming a Regional Talent Innovation Network". NOTE: Dr. Gordon was an advisory council member of the Tutor/Mentor Connection for many years.

INTERNATIONAL LABUOR ORGANIZATION (ILO)
http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/lang--en/index.htm
From the web site: "The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues."

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS OF NAF CAREER LABS
https://naf.org/our-approach/future-ready-lab
From the web site: "NAF Future Ready Labs are a solution to company talent development needs. By partnering with NAF and investing in paid internships, businesses benefit from the completion of meaningful work while developing a highly skilled and diverse talent pipeline."

INTERNSHIPS PROVIDE ON-THE JOB LEARNING- EDUTOPIA BLOG
https://www.edutopia.org/stw-college-career-stem-internship
This article illustrates how business and schools can collaborate to provide a 9th grade to 12th grade learning experience, connecting youth to real-world experiences.

INTERN XL - NEW PLATFORM (2022) FOR INTERNSHIP MATCHING
https://internxl.org/about/#mce_temp_url#
From the website: "Intern XL, created by the Fund II Foundation, is an intelligent platform that brings precision, diversity, inclusion, and efficiency to the internship hiring  process for top companies."  

JOBS FOR THE FUTURE
https://www.jff.org/
From the web site: "Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a national nonprofit that builds educational and economic opportunity for underserved populations in the United States. JFF develops innovative programs and public policies that increase college readiness and career success and build a more highly skilled, competitive workforce. With over 30 years of experience, JFF is a recognized national leader in bridging education and work to increase economic mobility and strengthen our economy."

JP MORGAN CHASE FELLOWSHIP INITIATIVE
https://www.jpmorganchase.com/impact/people/mentoring-skilled-volunteerism/the-fellowship-initiative
This initiative supports Black youth in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City. The web site has quite a bit of information.  Hopefully other companies will borrow some ideas and support even greater numbers of youth via organized mentoring programs.

KIDPRENEURS - IDEAS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
https://kidpreneurs.org/
The web site and its blog articles show stories of youth entrepreneurs that might inspire others to take a similar journey.

KNOWLEDGE WORKS - INNOVATIVE EDUCATION APPROACHES
https://knowledgeworks.org/about/
From the web site: "KnowledgeWorks is a national organization committed to providing every learner with meaningful personalized learning experiences that ensure success in college, career and civic life. With a presence in more than 30 states, we develop the capabilities of educators to implement and sustain competency-based and early college schools, partner with federal, state and district leaders to remove policy barriers that inhibit the growth of personalized learning and provide national thought leadership around the future of learning."

LIVING CLASSROOMS FOUNDATION
https://livingclassrooms.org/
From the web site:  "Living Classrooms Foundation strengthens communities and inspires young people to achieve their potential through hands-on education and job training, using urban, natural, and maritime resources as “living classrooms.”

MANAGING THE 21ST CENTURY ORGANIZATION. BY VALDIS KREBS
http://orgnet.com/Managing21CenturyOrganization.pdf
"If knowledge is power, what is connected knowledge?" That's how Valdis Krebs starts off this essay, showing the value to business of informal networks.  Volunteering in tutor/mentor programs provides this network-building opportunity for anyone who becomes part of a comprehensive, mentor-rich program. 
Note: Krebs was a speaker at the Chicago Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference in Nov. 2009.

MANCHESTER CRAFTSMEN'S GUILD - PITTSBURGH
https://www.mcgyouthandarts.org/
From the web site: "For more than 40 years Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild has been a unique haven—a multi-disciplined arts and learning center that fosters a sense of belonging, interconnections, and hope within the urban community."  Read about how arts involvement has raised the aspirations and motivations of students and led more to success in school and life. The thinking behind this project is something that should be at the soul of every volunteer-based tutor/mentor program in the country. 

MANUFACTURING RENAISSANCE - CHICAGO
https://mfgren.org/
Manufacturing Renaissance support the growth of the manufacturing sector in Chicago, through training programs, the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council, and more. 

MICROSOFT INITIATIVE TO HELP 25 MILLION BUILD DIGITAL LEARNING SKILLS
click here
In this blog article Microsoft is announcing “a global skills initiative aimed at bringing more digital skills to 25 million people worldwide by the end of the year. This initiative will bring together every part of our company, combining existing and new resources from LinkedIn, GitHub, and Microsoft.”

MICROSOFT INNOVATIVE EDUCATOR (MIE) PROGRAMS
https://education.microsoft.com/en-us/resource/1703c312
From the web site: "The Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) programs recognize global educator visionaries who are using technology to pave the way for their peers for better learning and student outcomes. These are a variety of programs to help both educators who are just beginning this journey, as well as programs for educators who are leaders in innovative education." 

NATIONAL CAREER ACADEMY COALITION
https://www.ncacinc.com/
From the web site: "The mission of the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) is to create and support a national network of existing and emerging high school career academies."
Editor note:  Career Academies mirror many of the goals of the type of comprehensive tutor/mentor program encouraged by the Tutor/Mentor Connection, and represent potential partners for such programs in many cities. Visit the LINKS section of the NCAC web site to learn more about the many different Career Academies operating in America.

NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP - CHICAGO OFFICE
https://www.nfte.com/chicago/
From web site: "Through a unique combination of high-impact student programs and exceptional teacher training and support, NFTE’s Chicago Metro office provides schools and partners across the region the opportunity to change young lives through entrepreneurship." This is part of a national organization.

NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
https://nationalfund.org/
From the web site: "The National Fund for Workforce Solutions seeks to improve employment, training, and labor market outcomes for low-income individuals. The Fund’s support will improve both the quality of jobs and the capacity of workers by promoting change at three levels: individual, institution, and system. The result: better jobs, better workers, and a better workforce development system."

NATIONAL YOUTH EMPLOYMENT COALITION
https://nyec.org/
From the web site: "NYEC members work to address the many barriers that opportunity youth face, helping young people gain and maintain employment, complete high school and persist in postsecondary education, enhance their well-being, and become productive citizens. NYEC members include nonprofit providers of services to youth, as well as city agencies, local workforce development boards, and research organizations."

NYC TECH OPPORTUNITY GAP
https://civichall.org/nyc-tech-opportunity-gap/
From the website: "This report was commissioned to better understand the nature and trajectory of jobs that require high-tech skills, and how the NYC workforce ecosystem can better prepare New Yorkers to realize the economic opportunity provided by high-tech jobs."

OPPORTUNITY CHICAGO - ARCHIVE
https://cjc.net/past-projects/opportunity-chicago/
From the web site:  "Opportunity Chicago was a collaborative of government agencies, foundations, nonprofit organizations and employers. It's goal was to help 5,000 public housing residents prepare for and find quality jobs by the end of 2010."  Browse the archive and learn from work that was done. 

PROFOUND GENTLEMEN OF COLOR - ENGAGES BLACK MALE EDUCATORS
https://www.profoundgentlemen.org/about/
This is a national organization with a Chicago branch. See this description on the web site: "Profound Gentlemen is committed to supporting boys and male educators of color in the Chicago community.  In collaboration with the Chicago Teacher’s Union Foundation, we are able to provide free support services to focus in retaining male educators of color. In addition, through our educators who lead mentoring groups, we will be creating a cradle to career pipeline for boys of color.  Together our efforts will strengthen a community and an everlasting impact."

REGIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NETWORKS
http://edacweb.com/resources/regional-workforce-development-networks/
This link points to an article by Marcus Weiss, of the Economic Development Assistance Consortium, describing Regional Workforce Development Networks.  This is on the Economic Development Assistance Consortium website. 

RESOURCES FOR INNER CITY CEOS - ANCHOR INITIATIVES
https://icic.org/research/anchor-initiatives/
From the web site: "ICIC’s Anchor Institution Strategic Framework defines seven strategies anchors use to accelerate urban economic revitalization. Anchor organizations that intentionally engage these seven strategies will produce measurable returns for both the community and the organization."  This site has a wealth of resources focused on strengthening inner cities. Take a look.

SBA LEARNING CENTER - HELP WITH STARTING & GROWING A BUSINESS
https://www.sba.gov/sba-learning-platform
This site was created to help small business owners know how their business compares with the competition in their region. 

SCHOOL-TO-WORK INITIATIVES: GOALS FROM 1996
https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/SER/SchoolWork/study7c.html
This link points to an archive titled "Study of School-To-Work Initiatives Cross-Site Analysis June 1995"  The goals set then are still appropriate today. What can we learn about why the problems still persist?

SKILLS GAP IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR -2015 DELOITTE REPORT
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/deloitte-review/issue-16/manufacturing-skills-gap-america.html
This article shows a growing skills gap in America's manufacturing sector and prescribes some short and long-term solutions.  Connecting people from STEAM backgrounds to youth in organized tutor/mentor programs would be one low-cost strategy of building student aspirations for careers in these fields. This needs to be a strategy manufacturing sector leaders invest in.

SKILL UP - HELPS WORKERS FIND QUALITY LIVING-WAGE JOBS
https://www.skillup.org/
SkillUP is a coalition of more than 100 organizations, including training and education providers, tech firms, employers and philanthropies.  This site can be valuable to young people exploring career options, to people without college degrees who seek good-paying jobs, or people seeking to explore new career options.  Take time to explore the site and learn what's available. 

ST. LOUIS JOBS - INVESTING IN YOUTH FUTURES
http://stlyouthjobs.org/about/
From the web site "STL Youth Jobs bridges the divide between our region’s youth and the growing skills gap in our workforce:" Leaders in different cities can learn from each other.  

SUMMER WORKS
https://www.summerworks.info/about
From the website:  "Summer Works is the Washtenaw County Summer Youth Employment Program, a 10-week summer employment and mentorship program that pairs local employers, including the University of Michigan, with young adults, age 16 to 24.  It connects youth to resources for building professional networks, exploring career opportunities, and developing essential job and leadership skills.”

THE ACADEMY GROUP - SUPPORTS YOUTH FROM 4TH GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE
https://theacademygroup.com/the-academy/
This Chicago group describes it's mission with this statement on their web site: "Over a fourteen year journey, we guide students through intense interdisciplinary exploration of business, justice and leadership. Programming at the Academy is rigorous, personalized and cumulative. We reinforce core skills that accelerate academic progress, putting students on track to reach ambitious educational and career milestones."  It does this through a mix of five-week summer programs, year-round support, internships, etc. Operates as a social enterprise.

THE DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL FOR YOUTH
https://allstars.org/our-work/programs/development-school-for-youth/
From the web site: "The Development School for Youth (DSY) is the All Stars Project's innovative outside-of-school leadership and business training program.  In partnership with businesses and caring corporate professionals DSY offers supplemental educational, social and internship experiences in a variety of workplace settings. This training prepares inner-city youth to enter the professional workforce, pursue educational opportunities and face challenges in new ways." 

UK CAREER ACADEMY FOUNDATION
https://www.careeracademies.org.uk/
From the web site: "The UK Career Academy Foundation is a not-for profit organisation, set up by leading figures from the worlds of business and education. Its aim is to provide young people aged between 16 and 18 with the curriculum and guidance necessary to build rewarding careers and fulfilling lives. It does this through the promotion of 'Career Academies', schools within schools that combine a rigorous industry validated curriculum for students with leading edge practice in education business link activity, including paid summer internships with supporting companies and one-to-one business mentoring." 

URBAN ALLIANCE CHICAGO - HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
https://theurbanalliance.org/locations/chicago/
From the web site: "Urban Alliance is a youth development organization that provides young people with the professional skills training and work experience needed to succeed in tomorrow’s labor market. By providing Urban Alliance youth with early, meaningful work, our Chicago business partners are helping to strengthen the school-to-work pipeline and prepare the next generation of leaders." 

VALUING YOUR TALENT - RSA PROJECT AIMS TO INCREASE WORKFORCE SKILLS
https://www.thersa.org/projects/archive/economy/valuing-your-talent/about
From the web site: "The goal of the UK based challenge, called Valuing Your Talent (VyT), is to increase the skills of the UK’s workforce, organisations’ performance, and societal value by helping employers get better at understanding and investing in their human capital. It’s based on an underlying conviction that employers and employees should better recognize their respective value, and have each others’ long-term interests at heart, as well as those  of wider society. Central to this is investment in each other’s learning and development, and the ability to tackle important problems."

VIRTUAL ENTERPRISES INTERNATIONAL - IN-SCHOOL GLOBAL BUSINESS SIMULATION
https://veinternational.org/why-ve/
From the web site: "VE provides a solution for schools to offer all students meaningful skills-based career experiences. Through our hands-on, task-based curricula, students test drive potential careers and develop in-demand skills and competencies that post-secondary institutions and employers are seeking. By managing the day-to-day operations of a company, students not only develop business skills and an entrepreneurial mindset, they also identify career pathways that align with their interests, talents, and aspirations.

VISION FOR AMERICAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (VAST) - 2025
https://www.vastfuture.org/
This website shows the vision of individuals representing industry, academia, government, and the non-profit sector of a future state in which American science and technology can continue to serve America.  Planning started in 2024. 

VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL CAREERS RESOURCES
http://www.khake.com/index.html
This web site is an on-line library of Vocational and Technical Career Resources. It's not been updated since 2012, but the huge list of topics should still offer a wealth of information. 

WORKFORCE GPS - ONLINE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP BUILD CAPACITY OF AMERICA'S PUBLIC WORKFORCE INVESTMENT SYSTEM
https://www.workforcegps.org/
This US Dept of Labor resource was developed "specifically for workforce professionals, educators and business leaders, giving you the tools you need to create innovative approaches to improve the employment prospects of job seekers.

WOMEN IN TRADES, TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE - RESOURCE LIBRARY
https://www.iwitts.org/
From the web site: "IWITTS helps educators nationwide close the gender gap for women and girls in male-dominated careers, such as technology, the trades and law enforcement. Our Proven Practices Collection brings educators a research-based blueprint for recruiting and retaining women and girls in the technology classroom. You'll find over a hundred journal articles and proven practice case studies."

YEAR-UP - ONE YEAR INTERNSHIP, SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
https://www.yearup.org/about?location=chicago/
From the web site: "Year Up is a one-year, intensive training program that provides low-income young adults, ages 18-24, with a combination of hands-on skill development, college credits, corporate internships, and support."

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS OF KANSAS
https://www.youthentrepreneurs.org/
From the web site: "Youth Entrepreneurs began in 1991 as an eight-week program, eventually expanding into a yearlong, accredited course and experiential adventure for students in high school. More than 25 years later, YE has inspired thousands of high school students across the nation to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP - GLOBAL NETWORK
http://www.sageglobal.org/?page_id=2034
Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneuship is an international network of organizations committed to youth entrepreneurship. Visit the web site to learn more