As community colleges and career and technical schools navigate shifting enrollment trends and growing employer demand for skilled talent, partnerships with high schools have become more important than ever. Career pathways in high schools have seen incredible growth and development over the past decade. These programs now introduce students to industries through hands-on learning, industry credentials, work-based learning experiences, and higher-level coursework. Many of the students engaging in these programs are actively exploring careers they want to pursue while building professional skills. 

Rather than waiting for students to begin researching postsecondary options during their senior year, community colleges and career and technical schools can begin building connections with students much earlier by collaborating with local high schools that have relevant career pathways. Strong partnerships can create meaningful alignment that supports shared goals, dual enrollment opportunities, early exposure to campus resources, and career pathways that bridge high school to post-secondary learning. When colleges and career and technical programs view high schools as true partners in college and career readiness, rather than just a source of future students, students are better prepared for every step.

Building Enrollment, Retention, and Career Success

When students participate in a dual enrollment course, connect with a professor, or even utilize campus resources for learning, they gain familiarity with campus programs, buildings, and other elements of campus life—making them far more likely to see a certain institution as an option that is a good fit. And students who feel connected to educators and mentors are further incentivized to want to continue their learning. For these reasons, these collaborations can have a significant impact to application submissions and enrollment numbers. 

Additionally, when students enter postsecondary programs with some knowledge about the career pathway, they are more likely to stick with the program and their learning plan, as compared to peers who are beginning something brand new. Students who have taken career-aligned, higher-level coursework in high school through a partnership with a local community college or career and technical school also have a better understanding of the learning expectations. When students begin with a clear picture of what to expect, they are more likely to stay engaged in their coursework, persevere through challenges, and stay on track with their postsecondary and career goals, supporting stronger retention rates.

Students who complete a high school career pathway and then transition into a related postsecondary learning program of study are also likely to be more successful in their job search. Graduating students will have years of relevant training and experience, making them strong candidates. And because these career pathways are likely aligned to local industry needs, there is even greater confidence in students securing job placements. In short, aligning programs to high school offerings and supporting those in existence can work to fortify the talent pipeline—creating opportunities for students to meaningfully learn about fields and develop valuable skills across many years.

Getting Started

Taking small, intentional steps can help build and strengthen relationships with high schools over time. Use the strategies outlined below to identify opportunities for support and alignment. 

• Connect students to existing programs. Work with high schools to connect students to programs and opportunities that are already in place. High school counselors along with career and technical educators can help to ensure that students with relevant interests receive information about dual enrollment courses, summer learning experiences, and events.

• Mentor high school staff. Create opportunities to partner with high school educators teaching in related subject areas. By sharing expertise and resources, higher education institutions can help to strengthen programs and better align instruction and expectations to help students successfully transition to postsecondary learning. 

• Create channels for communication. Work to identify contacts at the high school who can serve as partners. Coordinate meetings to both share information and inquire about unmet career learning needs. These two-way conversations can serve as the foundation for aligned and effective programming.  

• Build familiarity. Join college and career fairs, speak with high school students, and engage in any opportunities that give students a chance to learn about programs, faculty, and campus life. These points of connection create visibility and work to build relationships throughout high school before the high-stakes decision making of senior year. 

• Connect with local employers. Use existing relationships with local employers to facilitate high school work-based learning opportunities such as job shadowing, apprenticeship, or internships. Higher education institutions can serve as a bridge between high schools and employers to identify opportunities that align with career pathways. Employers already hosting college-level interns may be able to expand their programs and add high school interns. This can provide additional support for their work while also helping to build leadership and training skills. 

• Share models from other high school programs. If there is a local school or district with a successful career program or higher education partnership strategy, share the details. Connecting schools with one another can facilitate peer-to-peer learning that fosters support for new models and allows for an implementation based on a proven approach. 

• Utilize alumni networks. Consider reaching out to former students who can serve as mentors, guest speakers, or otherwise support industry connections. Finding alumni who attended the high school and postsecondary institution can offer valuable perspective and insights, while also becoming champions for stronger high school to postsecondary alignment efforts. 

Building Partnerships 

The most sustainable partnerships often start small. From a single conversation to a shared event, these experiences can create a foundation for deeper collaboration that builds over time. As trust and familiarity grow, these initial connections can evolve into robust pathways that are beneficial for both students and institutions. 

The return on investment from these efforts is significant. Collaborations between postsecondary institutions and high schools have the potential to create multi-year learning experiences that build knowledge, skills, and confidence over time. They can also strengthen connections among educators, industry partners, and students—creating a network of support, learning, and opportunity that grows and provides value year after year.