Cleveland approves expanding program that hopes to link CMSD students to jobs: Stimulus Watch

Originally published April 5, 2023, by Lucas Daprile, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland City Council recently approved expanding a program that aims to help connect the city’s students with future careers.

The PACE program -- which stands for planning and career exploration -- launched in 2021 and is set to receive $2.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act money from Cleveland, after city council approved legislation on the matter Monday evening.

The existing program is available to Cleveland Metropolitan School District students in grades 6-12. The goal is to expose them to potential career tracks, especially those in demand locally, and provide hands-on experience and opportunities to meet and learn from professionals in their field of interest. PACE also gives students access to advisors, mentors and coaches, who work with them to create career plans, according to city documents and the program’s website.

Cleveland hopes its contributions will help leverage $51 million in funding over the next three years, with the rest of the money coming from CMSD, government grants, employers and foundations, according to city documents.

The program is a partnership, and the $2.1 million in ARPA funds will be provided to the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium, which administers PACE.

Expanding the program is in line with Mayor Justin Bibb’s plans to use millions of ARPA dollars to help expand education in the city.

The program is much needed for CMSD, in which only 15.4% of students are considered ready for the workforce or college, according to the district’s report card.