The University Innovation Alliance

Grades 11–12 Postsecondary

UIA helps young people connect education to real-world career opportunities through its College to Career initiative. It focuses on bridging the gap between college and employment, particularly for first-generation and low-income students. By partnering with employers and embedding work-base learning (WBL) experiences into university programs, UIA ensures students gain practical skills and early career exposure. UIA approach emphasizes human-centered design and systemic change to make career readiness a core part of higher education.

ORGANIZATION TYPE

Non-Profit Operator

STUDENTS SERVED

1000+

GEOGRAPHIC REACH

National

LOCALE(S) SERVED

Rural, Suburban, Urban

WBL SERVICE MODELS

Career Fair / Career Day, Industry Speaker, Workplace Tour, Career Counseling / Assessments, Job Shadowing, Mentorship, Internship, Cooperative Work Experience, Youth Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, Service Learning

DELIVERY MODALITY

Hybrid

TYPICAL DURATION

Medium-term

SCHOOL-BASED TIMING

In-school

COMPENSATION TYPE

Unpaid, Academic Credit, Credential

STAKEHOLDERS SERVED

Basic Career Exploration Tools, Educators, Employers, Families, Navigational Resources For Families/Caregivers, Network Membership For Schools, Professional, State Education Agency, Students, Technical Assistance For Schools/Districts

LANGUAGE SUPPORT

English Only

TARGETED POPULATIONS

Low-income / FRPL Eligible

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

CAREER CLUSTERS ALIGNMENT

Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Arts, Entertainment, & Design, Construction, Cross-cutting Cluster, Digital Technology, Education, Energy & Natural Resources, Financial Services, Healthcare & Human Services, Hospitality, Events, & Tourism, Management & Entrepreneurship, Marketing & Sales, Public Service & Safety, Supply Chain & Transportation

FUNDING MODEL

Grants, Philanthropy

SIMILAR PROVIDERS

Craft Education

Nationwide

National

crafteducation.com

Craft enables fund braiding across government resources– eg, Pell/Title IV, WIOA, CTE/Perkins, SAEF/apprenticeship, etc.– to develop earn-and-learn pathways for underserved learners.

Available in: Nationwide

grades 11–12 postsecondary

Launchpad Philly

Local

launchpadphilly.org

Launchpad Philly offers a learn-and-earn pathway that supports high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates as they prepare for careers in the tech sector. Students build technical and professional skills through a combination of college-level coursework, employer-led projects, paid work experiences, and apprenticeship-style training after graduation. The program blends school-based learning, hands-on challenges, and paid opportunities that help young people transition into living-wage digital careers.

grades 11–12 postsecondary

Boston Private Industry Council

Local

bostonpic.org

The Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) is the city’s workforce development board and a school-to-career intermediary that connects students and job seekers to meaningful career pathways. Partnering with Boston Public Schools, employers, community organizations, and higher education institutions, the PIC helps young people explore careers, secure paid work experiences, and transition successfully to postsecondary education and employment. For adults, the PIC strengthens the workforce system, expands access to training, and aligns employer needs with talent pipelines. Through these efforts, the PIC works to build a more inclusive, skilled, and economically vibrant Boston where residents can advance and employers can thrive.

grades 9–10 grades 11–12