Pathways to Work
This workforce development initiative equips young adults for good-paying jobs, helping us move closer to our Aspire United 2030 goal of increasing the number of young adults in living wage jobs by 20%.
Through Pathways to Work, we partner with service providers, training organizations and employers in growing industries to develop work-ready training programs, deliver industry-recognized credentials and support workers as they move toward their goals.
Skills and Readiness
Pathways to Work expands access to work readiness and skills training programs that provide support services to participants, deliver short-term certifications and prepare them for good-paying job opportunities in targeted, high-growth industries:
- Business and finance
- Construction and skilled trades
- Healthcare
- Information technology
- Manufacturing and industrial production
- Transportation and logistics
STEM Scholars
This three-year program, powered by Deloitte, provides Dallas College students with comprehensive skills training leading to a certification or degree in technology, business or finance. Educators and employers collaborate to design training delivery programs to combine technical skills, work readiness resources and support services to ensure participants achieve their educational and career goals.
Hiring and Placement – Through Employer Partnerships
Construction EPN
The Construction EPN launched in April 2025 with a focus on hiring events that can better connect employers with qualified training graduates. Events have included a meeting at the Magda A. Hernandez Institute of Wellness and Professional Learning that highlighted Irving ISD’s adult education department and construction certification programs, as well as a tour of Dallas College’s Construction Science Building hosted by the Coppell Center.
ManufacturingDFW
Pathways to Work is partnering with Unmudl, a national network of 100+ career pathways in the manufacturing sector, to establish a local network that links learners, colleges and employers, providing unique benefits to all three groups:
For jobseekers, Unmudl offers job aligned training in mechatronics, robotics, instrumentation and automation technician positions with clear pathways to employment.
For colleges, Unmudl delivers hybrid courses that combine online learning with in-person labs on campus.
For companies, Unmudl co-develops curricula to upskill current technicians and build external talent pipelines in automation-driven industries.
This model reduces friction for employers, strengthens college impact, and provides working learners with faster, lower-cost access to high-quality training tailored for today’s changing technological environment.
The partnership will formally start on May 19, 2026, with an initial event hosted by Vistra Corporation, followed by quarterly meetings to engage and update participants on collective efforts to connect jobseekers with rewarding careers and employers with the next generation of skilled talent.
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