Dive Brief:
- The Fire Academy at Banning High School is one of several highly specific programs available to students in the Los Angeles Unified School District that will prepare them for future careers.
- EdSource reports local fire chiefs consider the program part of their recruitment efforts because it has a far more diverse enrollment than the current firefighting force, and other career pathways for students include specialized training in coding, radiology and filmmaking, which all used to be part of broader umbrellas.
- At the Fire Academy, students complete enough coursework in high school to become emergency medical technicians and they can move straight to more advanced coursework on their way to becoming a firefighter or paramedic, putting them ahead of other students who begin their training in college.
Dive Insight:
The Bridgespan Group recently called on mission-driven organizations and philanthropists to put their money and efforts toward career pathways as a direct way to expand economic opportunity. If students can be introduced to stable career options and given clear pathways to their first jobs, the benefits are practically guaranteed. While some see a tension between career training and college preparation, others are pushing for a “both, and” rather than “either, or” mentality.
It is important that even specialized programs like LAUSD’s Fire Academy still produce well-rounded students who are prepared to pivot to different fields if they choose. As part of a comprehensive program, specialized pathways can create opportunities for deeper engagement among students who see the real-world relevance of their studies.