New website helps Hawaii students prepare for in-demand jobs

Educators, nonprofits, government and business leaders are leading a statewide effort to help Hawaii residents access career readiness resources and work-based learning opportunities. Hawaii Career Pathways is an online portal to career exploration videos, information about degrees and certificates, accelerated learning opportunities within public schools, and financial aid.

Students, parents, and adult learners can use the site to ensure that their education and training are    on track for in-demand jobs of the future. “Hawaii Career Pathways brings many of the work-based learning and career pathways efforts in our state under one roof to make it easier for students, parents, teachers and businesses to plan for their future,” said Alex Harris, vice president of programs at the Harold K. L. Castle Foundation. “This user-centric approach will help more people access tools to explore and plan an education-to-career pathway that is right for them. Having a plan will give people confidence that they can have fulfilling careers with family-sustaining wages here in the islands.

Educators and businesses are encouraged to use the website to support students’ success by providing career-connected learning opportunities in the classroom and on the job. “Connecting education to the real-world is vital to developing a workforce in Hawaii that fits the needs of our local business community,” said Keala Peters, vice president of Education and Workforce Development at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. “This site will help employers be actively involved in developing a pool of qualified local applicants for in-demand, high-wage and high-skilled jobs in Hawaii.”

The site differentiates itself by offering both information about what kind jobs are in-demand in Hawaii, as well as information about the education and training needed to get there. “We encourage the public to use the Hawaii Career Pathways site to access important career readiness and career pathway resources,” said Bernadette Howard, state director for Office of the Career and Technical Education. “The site was developed as part of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) to promote the use of career pathways and to assist students and adults with acquiring marketable skills and industry-recognized credentials through better alignment of education, training and employment, and human and social services.”

Hawaii Career Pathways is one of the many efforts that are aligned under a statewide plan called the “Talent Roadmap” to support workforce development and help more local residents prepare for jobs in a post-COVID world. The plan was developed by a multi-sector partnership of leaders in the business, education, nonprofit, and government to spur economic recovery in the face of severe challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hawaii Career Pathways is a joint effort by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE), Hawaii P-20, the Harold K. L. Castle Foundation, Kamehameha Schools, Office of the State Director for Career and Technical Education, the University of Hawaii Community Colleges, the University of Hawaii System, the Workforce Development Council, and the Office of the Governor.

About Hawaii Career Pathways

Hawaii Career Pathways is a statewide commitment to give every student the tools they need to explore and plan an education-to-career pathway that’s right for them. We are public- and private-sector leaders, educators and nonprofits partnering to help Hawaii’s next generation prepare for a fulfilling career with family-sustaining wages. Together, we hope to provide a bright future where young people can live and work in Hawaii and employers have qualified local applicants for in-demand, high-wage and high-skilled jobs.