This toolkit is intended for community colleges and their partners in K-12 systems and four-year
institutions who wish to collaborate on creating strong, seamless career pathways for their
students. Career pathways maps perform three main functions: they clarify and align programs and services; they link increasing levels of certification, education, and employment; and they support students in choosing among the opportunities that interest them. Career pathways maps show a progression of certificate, transfers, degrees, and career advancement. Pathways also clarify the connections among these elements and illustrate how students can move more efficiently beyond entry-level employment and help build direct connections between institutions and employers.

This career pathways framework has been developed for local, regional, and state stakeholders in Michigan to assist them in the process of designing and implementing career pathways programs and integrated career pathways systems.

This toolkit by the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative is designed to develop strong employment pathways and work opportunities for out-of-school and out-of-work youth between 16 and 24 years old. The toolkit supports community-based organizations and other intermediaries to understand regional workforce needs, including labor market data and employer demands, and the knowledge that is required to guide youth towards employment.