EXPANDING THE PIPELINE FROM SCHOOL TO WORK: HIGH TOUCH SUPPORT IN HIGH NEED SECTORS

| Lead Subaward Institution: Fontana Unified School District | Pathway: Engineering, Business |

| Date Funded: January 2024 | Amount Awarded: $804,443 | Project Completion: June 2026 |

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Fontana Unified School District’s Expanding the Pipeline from School to Work project connects students with early career exploration, hands-on learning, and college opportunities to strengthen pathways into engineering, cybersecurity, and related business fields. Working with partners including CSU San Bernardino, Tomorrow’s Talent, LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network, and Chaffey College’s InTech Center, the project helps students connect their interests with future education and employment.

School-based activities, cybersecurity workshops, and camps introduce middle and high school students to technical concepts through interactive projects and practical challenges. University visits connect students with campus resources, college programs, and career possibilities, while mentorship and coaching help them understand their next steps.

The project also supports educators through professional development, instructional technology, and opportunities to collaborate with college and industry partners. These investments strengthen schools’ capacity to connect classroom instruction with evolving workforce needs.

By combining early exposure, student guidance, and regional partnerships, the project expands access to career-connected learning and helps students build the skills and confidence to pursue college and workforce pathways.

Recovery with Equity Strategies: Cultivate inclusive, engaging and equity-oriented learning environments; Retain students through inclusive support; Support college preparation and early credit.

“Perhaps the greatest impact was helping students begin to see themselves in careers they may not have previously considered attainable.” - Dr. Kim Lawe, FUSD

The most significant accomplishment of this project was expanding access to cybersecurity education and career exploration for students who have historically been underrepresented in STEM and high-demand technology fields. From the beginning, the project's vision was to remove barriers to opportunity by creating meaningful connections between K–12 education, higher education, and the regional workforce. As implementation evolved, that vision remained constant.

PROJECT IMPACT

Multiple regional partnerships established with higher education institutions, workforce organizations, and industry leaders to expand student access to mentorship, college experiences, and career-connected learning.
A sustainable middle school-to-college cybersecurity pathway developed, creating stronger connections between K–12 education, postsecondary opportunities, and the Inland Empire workforce.