Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards New Innovation Career Pathways to 36 High Schools

Carver — The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded new Innovation Career Pathway designations to 36 high schools, of which 22 are new to the program, today at Carver Middle High School. Innovation Career Pathways provide students with work-based, applied learning experiences in high-demand industries such as Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Environmental and Life Sciences, Health Care and Social Assistance, Business and Finance, and Clean Energy. These experiences enable students at no cost to explore careers in high demand industries they may want to pursue, while also bolstering workforce pipelines to meet the needs of employers. 

Starting in school year 2024-2025, Innovation Career Pathways will be offered in nearly 25% of eligible high schools across Massachusetts. With these new designations, there will be approximately 8,000 students enrolled in one or more of the 226 Innovation Career Pathways in nearly 100 high schools. 

“I was thrilled to see first-hand how students are exploring different career paths in high-demand industries like manufacturing at Carver Middle High School today. We’re excited that students here and at four other schools will have the opportunity to explore our Clean Energy Pathway next school year,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We want to ensure that what students learn in school helps them get where they want to go, while also meeting our workforce needs. That’s why we are continuing investments in transformational programs like Innovation Career Pathways with our FY25 budget.” 

“Innovation Career Pathways provide students with opportunities to explore careers in high-demand industries through partnerships with local employers and workforce boards, so that they can succeed in and out of the classroom,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These programs are a win for students, for schools, for employers, and for our economy - making Massachusetts a place where families want to live, learn, and work and supporting our fast-growing businesses.” 

Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2025 budget continues critical investments in programs that “Reimagine High School” like Innovation Career Pathways, Early College, and Career Technical Education, with $47.8 million for these high school pathways programs, including a $5 million dollar investment in broader pathway program support. 

“We want to transform the traditional high school experience, and expanding Innovation Career Pathways is one key way we are working to do just that. I am excited that the program will reach nearly a quarter of all eligible high schools across Massachusetts as we work to Reimagine High School, increasing student engagement and creating new opportunities for them to find their own paths to successful futures,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. 

“One of DESE’s goals as an agency is to make sure that learning is relevant and tied to the real world,” said Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston. “Innovation Career Pathways do just that, helping students see the path that connects their learning today to their career in the future.” 

Carver Middle High School has established pathways in Manufacturing and Environmental and Life Science, which were designated in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Beginning in the next school year, Carver Middle High School will be one of the first five schools to offer the Clean Energy Pilot, which the Healey Driscoll administration created nearly a year ago. The new Clean Energy Innovation Career Pathway will allow high school students to get applied, hands-on learning opportunities in the renewable energy sector, a growing high-demand industry across Massachusetts. 

“We are grateful that Governor Healey has taken the time to travel to Carver. Visiting our schools firsthand enables her to directly see our needs and how the aid Carver receives is positively impacting students and our community,” said Elaine Weston, Interim Town Administrator of Carver. 

“Our Innovation Pathways programs provide students with rigorous and relevant coursework that focuses on industry-related skills and ensures they are college and career-ready when they graduate,” said Superintendent of Carver Public Schools Scott Knief. 

"Being involved in this pathway has taught me to solve problems in unique ways that rely on a different mindset or lens than a traditional classroom,” said Carver Middle High School Student Dylan Young. 

A key component of Innovation Career Pathways is developing partnerships with local employers and MassHire Career boards to foster these work-based learning experiences for students—this year’s 36 designated high schools will be partnering with 12 local MassHire boards across the state. The partnerships enable students to gain work experience and insight about whether the field is something they would like to pursue in college or a career after high school. 

“Innovation Pathways can bridge the gap between high school and the real work being done in the industry connected to each pathway. Whether a student is headed for post-secondary education or not, the pathways allow them to explore a passion or area of interest to them while also strengthening very tangible employment skills. As an industry partner, we have a unique opportunity to shape the future of our workforce,” said Greg Howell, President, Flexo Concepts (Plymouth MA). 

“Innovation Career Pathways are transforming the connection between high schools and local employers. These pathways help our youth plan for post-graduation careers that are rewarding and offer family sustaining wages. These collaborations between educators and industry experts ensure that students are equipped with the skills they need to succeed, while providing employers with a pipeline of qualified workers all while supporting our regional economic blueprint,” said Mary Kate Paris of MassHire South Shore. 

New Schools Launching Innovation Career Pathways: 

Schools Adding Innovation Career Pathways to Existing Programs: 

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