Advisory Committee

The discussion and outcomes of this meeting reflect the collective input of the advisory committee, grounded in the following data sources:

Statewide Student Survey Data

• Shared by Luke during the meeting
• Implemented across the state
• Slides summarizing survey data will be attached

LYFT Career Pathways “Sticking Points” Data

• Collected by LYFT Career Pathways over the past month
• Shared during the presentation
• Highlights recurring barriers, trends, and disconnects observed in real-time engagement with students, schools, and partners
• Supporting materials will be attached

Key Discussion Themes & Outcomes

1. Strongest Alignment Between Students, Schools, and Workforce

Advisory committee members identified the following sectors as having the strongest existing alignment across Students (SS), Schools, and Workforce:

• Agriculture & Construction
• Healthcare
• CDL / Transportation pathways

These sectors were noted for clearer pathways, stronger employer engagement, and more visible connections between education and employment.

2. Biggest Gaps Identified

The committee discussed several persistent gaps limiting effective alignment:

Educational System Misalignment

• Schools continue to prioritize 4-year college preparation as the default pathway
• This focus does not reflect actual regional and statewide workforce demand
• There is a strong need to expand and normalize CTE concentrator pathways
• There is a need to integrate general education courses into CTE courses

Workforce Communication Gaps

• Schools are not consistently or effectively communicating with employers
• Employers report difficulty influencing curriculum, awareness, and student preparation

High-Need / Low-Awareness Pathways:

Healthcare

• High student interest
• Limited clarity on pathways, credentials, and access points

Advanced Manufacturing

• High employer demand
• Low student awareness and interest
• Significant misconceptions about career types and work environments

Career Awareness Gaps

• Students and families lack awareness of high-wage careers requiring two years or less of education, including:
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Electrician
  • Plumbing and skilled trades
• Unclear understanding of credentialing, cost, and time-to-employment for these careers
   

3. Role of LYFT in Reducing Barriers

The advisory committee discussed several ways LYFT could play a meaningful role in addressing identified challenges:

Connection & Partnership Development

• Serve as a connector between:
  • Economic Development organizations
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • RDC staff
  • Schools and industry partners
• Support expanded opportunities for educators such as:
  • Externships (noted as a “future-forward” strategy)

Funding & Capacity Support

• Provide or help broker funding for:
• Instructional supplies
• Staffing capacity
• Explore the feasibility of LYFT developing or maintaining:
  • An inventory or shared pool of qualified instructors

Program Replication & Scalability

• Develop “programs in a can”
• Easily replicable career pathway models
• Adaptable to local district and community needs

Family & Community Engagement

• Increase intentional outreach to parents and families
• Educating families about:
  • Local career opportunities
  • Benefits of students entering and remaining in the local workforce
     

4. Student Survey Insights & Suggested Questions

• Based on survey findings and discussion, the following question areas were highlighted as critical for better understanding student perspectives:
• Awareness of career sectors and job option
• Level of interest in career exploration at their current life stage (1–10 scale)
• Family influence on career decision-making
• Industries students actively want to avoid
• Interest in entrepreneurship and business ownership
• Perception of whether career information they receive is accurate, useful, and actionable

April 23, 2026 - Presentation Slide Deck

LYFT Student Survey Results